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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-119162
PROSPECTUS
$345,000,000
3.00% Convertible Notes due August 15, 2012
and the Class A Common Stock
Issuable Upon Conversion of the Notes
In August 2004, we issued $345,000,000 principal amount of our 3.00% convertible notes due August 15, 2012 in a private placement. This prospectus will be used by selling securityholders to resell their notes and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes from time to time. This prospectus also relates to the issuance and sale of our Class A common stock issued upon the conversion of the notes by subsequent purchasers of the notes.
The notes will mature on August 15, 2012. The notes may be converted into shares of our Class A common stock at any time prior to maturity, subject to prior redemption or repurchase, at an initial conversion rate of 48.7805 shares of Class A common stock per each $1,000 principal amount of notes converted, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.50 per share. If certain fundamental changes occur, we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares of Class A common stock or, in lieu thereof, we may in certain circumstances elect to adjust the conversion rate and related conversion obligation so that the notes are convertible into shares of the acquiring or surviving company, in each case as described herein.
We will pay interest on the notes on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning February 15, 2005. We may redeem some or all of the notes on or after August 20, 2009 at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus. In the event of a fundamental change, as described in this prospectus, noteholders may require us to repurchase some or all of their notes.
The notes are not listed on any national securities exchange or included in any automated quotation system. Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.” On June 27, 2005, the closing sale price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $20.47 per share. You should obtain current market quotations for our Class A common stock.
Investing in the notes and our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 10.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 8, 2005.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of some of these documents are also available on our website at http://www.americantower.com. Our website is not part of this prospectus.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us, the notes and our Class A common stock, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC requires us to “incorporate” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC in other documents. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to other documents that contain that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information contained in this prospectus and information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus automatically updates previously filed information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of this post- effective amendment no. 5 to registration statement and after the date of the prospectus and before the sale of all the securities covered by this prospectus; provided, however, we are not incorporating any information furnished under Item 7.01 or Item 2.02 of any Current Report on Form 8-K:
| • | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2005; |
| • | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2005; |
| • | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005, May 5, 2005, May 20, 2005 and June 28, 2005; and |
| • | The description of our Class A common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-14195) filed on June 4, 1998. |
In addition, in connection with the proposed merger of American Tower and SpectraSite, Inc., we incorporate by reference into this prospectus certain financial information of SpectraSite. As described in the section captioned “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 55, we incorporate by reference:
| • | The audited consolidated financial statements of SpectraSite contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2005; and |
| • | The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SpectraSite contained its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2005. |
You may request a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:
American Tower Corporation
116 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (617) 375-7500
Exhibits to the documents incorporated by reference will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have been specifically referenced in this prospectus.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The selling securityholders are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the notes and shares of our Class A common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of notes or shares of our Class A common stock.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made statements about future events and expectations, or forward-looking statements, in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have based those forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. When we use words such as “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” or “intend,” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements we make regarding future prospects of growth in the wireless communications and broadcast infrastructure markets, the level of future expenditures by companies and other trends in those markets, our planned dispositions of non-core assets, our ability to maintain or increase our market share, our future operating results, our future capital expenditure levels, and our plans to fund our future liquidity needs.
You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements, including those factors set forth in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors.” We have no duty to, and we do not intend to, update or revise forward-looking statements made by us in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statements made by us in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or elsewhere might not occur.
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This summary highlights selected information about us. The following information is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information and financial statements, including notes thereto appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference herein. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors” and the documents that we have filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “American Tower” are to American Tower Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless it is clear from the context that we mean only American Tower Corporation. We sometimes refer to American Towers, Inc., our wholly owned principal operating subsidiary, as ATI.
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
Overview
We are a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company with a portfolio of over 14,800 towers. Our primary business is leasing antenna space on multi-tenant communications towers to wireless service providers and radio and television broadcast companies. We own and operate towers throughout the United States and Mexico, as well as in selected markets in Brazil. We operate the largest independent portfolio of wireless communications and broadcast towers in the United States and Mexico, based on number of towers and revenue.
Our tower portfolio provides us with a recurring base of leasing revenues from our existing customers and growth potential due to the capacity to add more tenants and equipment to these towers. Our broad network of towers enables us to address the needs of wireless service providers on a national basis. With the sale of our tower construction services unit in November 2004, we substantially completed our strategic transition to a focused tower leasing business and now offer only limited services that directly support our rental and management operations and the addition of new tenants on our towers. We intend to capitalize on the continuing increase in the use of wireless communication services by actively marketing space available for leasing on our existing towers and selectively developing or acquiring new towers that meet our return on investment criteria.
Our core leasing business, which we also refer to as our rental and management segment, accounted for approximately 99.3% and 99.2% of our segment operating profit for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In 2005, we expect that our rental and management segment will continue to contribute approximately 99% of our segment operating profit, which we define as segment revenue less direct segment expense (rental and management segment operating profit includes interest income, TV Azteca, net).
An element of our strategy is to continue focusing our operations on our rental and management segment by divesting non-core assets, using the proceeds to purchase high quality tower assets, and reducing outstanding indebtedness. Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004, we completed approximately $142.7 million of non-core asset sales and have used or will use the net proceeds to acquire new tower assets and to repay outstanding indebtedness. These sales include the disposition of certain non-core services businesses, including Flash Technologies, Galaxy Engineering, Kline Iron & Steel and our tower construction services unit.
We believe that our strategy of focusing operations on our rental and management segment has made our consolidated operating cash flows more stable, will provide us with continuing growth and will enhance our returns on invested capital because of the following characteristics of our core leasing business:
| • | Long-term tenant leases with contractual escalators. In general, a lease with a wireless carrier has an initial term of five-to-ten years with multiple five-year renewal terms thereafter, and lease payments typically increase 3% to 5% per year. |
| • | Tower operating expenses are largely fixed. Incremental operating costs associated with adding wireless tenants to a tower are minimal. |
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| • | Low maintenance capital expenditures. On average, a wireless tower requires low annual capital investments to maintain. |
| • | High lease renewal rates. Wireless carriers tend to renew leases because repositioning a site in a carrier’s network is expensive and may adversely affect network quality, and because suitable alternative sites may not exist or be available. |
Strategy
Our strategy is to capitalize on the continuing growth in the use of wireless communication services and the infrastructure requirements necessary to deploy current and future generations of wireless communication technologies. Between December 2001 and December 2004, the number of wireless service subscribers in the United States increased from 128.4 million to 180.5 million, representing an increase of approximately 41% and market penetration of approximately 61%. From December 2001 through December 2004, the number of cell sites (i.e., the number of antennae and related equipment in commercial operation, not the number of towers on which that equipment is located) increased from approximately 127,500 cell sites to approximately 175,700. In Mexico, the number of wireless service subscribers increased from approximately 21.8 million in December 2001, to approximately 38.5 million in December 2004, representing an increase of approximately 77% and market penetration of approximately 36%. In Brazil, the number of wireless service subscribers increased from approximately 28.7 million in December 2001, to approximately 65.6 million in December 2004, representing an increase of approximately 129% and market penetration of approximately 36%.
We believe the continuing growth in the number of wireless subscribers and the minutes of use per subscriber will require wireless carriers to add cell sites to maintain the performance of their networks in the areas they currently cover and to extend service to areas where coverage does not yet exist. As wireless carriers continue to add subscribers and seek to limit churn, we also anticipate that they will focus on network quality as a competitive necessity and will invest in upgrades to their networks. In addition, we believe that as wireless data services, such as email, internet access and video, are deployed on a widespread basis, the deployment of these technologies will require wireless carriers to further increase the cell density of their existing networks, may require an overlay of new technology equipment, and may increase the demand for geographic expansion of their network coverage. To meet this demand, we believe wireless carriers will continue to outsource their tower infrastructure needs as a means of improving existing service coverage, implementing new technology, accelerating access to their markets and preserving capital, rather than constructing and operating their own towers and maintaining their own tower service and development capabilities.
We believe that our existing portfolio of towers, our tower related services offerings and our management team position us to benefit from these trends and to play an increasing role in addressing the needs of wireless service providers and broadcasters. The key elements of our strategy include:
| • | Maximize Use of Our Tower Capacity. We believe that our highest returns will be achieved by leasing additional space on our existing towers. Annual rental and management revenue and segment operating profit grew by approximately 10% and 16%, respectively, during 2004. We anticipate that our revenues and segment operating profit will continue to grow because many of our towers are attractively located for wireless service providers and have capacity available for additional antenna space rental that we can offer to customers at low incremental costs to us. Because the costs of operating a tower are largely fixed, increasing utilization significantly improves operating margins. We will continue to target our sales and marketing activities to increase utilization of, and investment return on, our existing towers. |
| • | Actively Manage Our Tower Portfolio. We actively manage our portfolio of towers by selling non-core towers and reinvesting a portion of the proceeds in high quality tower assets. In 2004, we sold 52 non-core towers and used a portion of the proceeds from these sales and other funds to acquire 214 towers. Our goal is to enhance operating efficiencies either by acquiring towers with high growth potential or by disposing or exchanging towers in areas where we do not have operating economies of |
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| scale. If we are successful in disposing of certain tower assets, we may reinvest a portion of the proceeds in tower assets that are expected to provide a greater return. |
| • | Employ Selective Criteria for New Tower Construction and Acquisitions. We continue to construct, redevelop and acquire new towers when our initial and long-term return on investment criteria are met. These criteria include securing leases from customers in advance of construction, ensuring reasonable estimated construction costs and obtaining the land on which to build the tower, whether by purchase or ground lease, on reasonable terms. |
| • | Continue Our Focus on Customer Service and Processes. Because speed to market and reliable network performance are critical components to the success of wireless service providers, our ability to assist customers in meeting their goals will contribute to our success. We intend to continue to focus on customer service by, for example, reducing cycle time for key functions, such as lease processing. Accordingly, we have established a team dedicated to exploring and leveraging customer-driven process improvement capabilities. We believe that this effort should enable us to increase revenue generation through improved speed, accuracy and quality. In addition, sharing operational processes and outcomes establishes another connection point with our customers and provides us valuable input and relationship enhancing opportunities. |
| • | Build On Our Strong Relationships with Major Wireless Carriers. Our understanding of the network needs of our customers and our ability to convey effectively how we can satisfy those needs are key to our efforts to add new antenna leases, cross-sell our services and identify desirable new tower development projects. We are building on our strong relationships with our customers to gain more familiarity with their evolving network plans so we can identify opportunities where our nationwide portfolio of towers and experienced personnel can be used to satisfy their needs. We believe that we are well positioned to be a preferred partner to major wireless carriers and broadcasters in leasing tower space and new tower development projects because of the location of our towers, our proven operating experience and the national scope of our tower portfolio and services. |
| • | Participation in Industry Consolidation. We believe there are benefits to consolidation among tower companies. More extensive networks will be better positioned to provide more comprehensive service to customers and to support the infrastructure requirements of future generations of wireless communication technologies. Combining with one or more other tower companies also should result in improvements in cost structure efficiencies, with a corresponding positive impact on operating results. These benefits should, in turn, enhance access to capital and accelerate the de-levering process. Accordingly, we continue to be interested in participating in the consolidation of our industry on terms that are consistent with these perceived benefits and that create long-term value for our stockholders. |
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Recent Developments
On May 3, 2005, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger with SpectraSite, Inc. providing for, among other things, the merger of SpectraSite with a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tower. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of SpectraSite common stock will be converted into the right to receive 3.575 shares of our Class A common stock. Consummation of the merger is subject to certain conditions, including approval by our stockholders, approval by SpectraSite’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. In connection with the merger, we filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC containing a joint proxy statement/prospectus, which the SEC declared effective on June 16, 2005. The joint proxy statement/prospectus contains information regarding the merger and the special meeting of stockholders to be held on August 3, 2005. The special meeting is being held to approve proposals relating to the merger and a proposal to amend and restate our restated certificate of incorporation, as described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus. The merger is expected to close in the second half of 2005.
Our principal executive offices are located at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, and our telephone number is (617) 375-7500. Our website address is www.americantower.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information included on, or linked from, our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.
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The Offering
All of the notes and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes are being sold by the selling securityholders or their pledges, donees, transferees or other successors in interest. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the notes and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. We refer you to “Selling Securityholders” on page 24 of this prospectus.
| Issuer |
American Tower Corporation, a Delaware corporation. |
| Securities Offered |
$345.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Convertible Notes due August 15, 2012. |
| Interest |
3.00% per annum, payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning February 15, 2005. |
| Ranking |
The notes are our general, unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured debt obligations. As of March 31, 2005, we had approximately $1.7 billion senior unsecured indebtedness outstanding. |
| Our subsidiaries do not guarantee the notes. The notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries, including all outstanding indebtedness under ATI’s credit facility and the senior subordinated notes issued by ATI. Indebtedness under the credit facility is secured by the assets of our subsidiaries and is also guaranteed by us and secured by our assets. We also guarantee ATI’s outstanding senior subordinated notes. As of March 31, 2005, the following amounts of subsidiary debt were outstanding: $697.0 million under the credit facility; $310.3 million accreted value of ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes ($291.7 million, net of the allocated fair value of warrants of $18.6 million); $400.0 million of ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes and $59.6 million of other long-term subsidiary debt. In addition, we had $400.0 million in undrawn revolving loan commitments under the credit facility, against which approximately $18.3 million of undrawn letters of credit were outstanding. |
| Maturity Date |
August 15, 2012. |
| Conversion |
You may convert all or some of your notes into shares of our Class A common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the last trading day on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) prior to the maturity date of the notes, subject to prior redemption or repurchase of the notes. Each $1,000 principal amount of notes may be converted into our Class A common stock at the conversion rate of 48.7805 shares per note, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.50 per share. The conversion rate may be adjusted for certain events, but it will not be adjusted for accrued interest. The right to convert notes that have been called for redemption will terminate at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date of redemption. |
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| If you elect to convert your notes in connection with certain fundamental changes, we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares of Class A common stock upon conversion or, in lieu thereof, we may in certain circumstances elect to adjust the conversion rate and related conversion obligation so that the notes are convertible into shares of the acquiring or surviving company, in each case as described under “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes.” |
| Repurchase at Option of Holder upon a Fundamental Change |
Upon a transaction or event constituting a fundamental change, you may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of your notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any. |
| Optional Redemption by American Tower Corporation |
We may redeem the notes at our option, in whole or in part, after August 20, 2009. The redemption prices are described under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption of the Notes.” |
| Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by any selling securityholder of the notes or the underlying Class A common stock into which the notes may be converted. |
| Listing of Class A Common Stock |
The Class A common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AMT.” |
| Risk Factors |
You should read the “Risk Factors” contained in, or incorporated into, this prospectus, as well as the other cautionary statements throughout the prospectus, so that you understand the risks associated with an investment in the notes. |
| Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences |
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each note has original issue discount (“OID”) in an amount equal to $22.50. In general, and regardless of whether you use the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, you are required to include such OID in your gross income on a constant yield-to-maturity basis over the term of the notes in advance of cash payments attributable to such income. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
| Sinking Fund |
None. |
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You should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in evaluating us, our business and an investment in the notes. Any of the following risks as well as other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial could seriously harm our business and financial results and cause the value of the notes or shares of our Class A common stock to decline, which in turn could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to This Offering
Substantial leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect us.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of March 31, 2005, we had approximately $3.1 billion of consolidated debt. Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to our indebtedness. Approximately 22% of our outstanding indebtedness bears interest at floating rates. As a result, our interest payment obligations on such indebtedness will increase if interest rates increase. Subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, we may also obtain additional long-term debt and working capital lines of credit to meet future financing needs. This would have the effect of increasing our total leverage.
Our substantial leverage could have significant negative consequences on our financial condition and results of operations, including:
| • | impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratios contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal, including periodic principal amortization payments, which events could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt as a result of cross-default provisions; |
| • | increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
| • | limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing; |
| • | requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures; |
| • | requiring us to sell debt or equity securities or to sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet payment obligations; |
| • | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we compete; and |
| • | placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources. |
Our holding company structure results in structural subordination of the notes and may affect our ability to make payments on the notes.
The notes are obligations exclusively of our company and not of our subsidiaries. However, all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, is dependent upon distributions of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other considerations. Payments to us by our subsidiaries are contingent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings and cash flows.
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In addition, the credit facility and the indentures for the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes and the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes impose substantial contractual limitations on the payment of dividends, distributions, loans or other amounts to us. Moreover, our subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness that may restrict or prohibit the making of distributions, the payment of dividends or the making of loans by such subsidiaries to us.
The notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations issued by our subsidiaries, including the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes, the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes and borrowings under the credit facility. As of March 31, 2005, the following amounts of subsidiary debt were outstanding: $697.0 million under the credit facility, $310.3 million accreted value of ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes ($291.7 million, net of the allocated fair value of warrants of $18.6 million), $400.0 million of ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes and $59.6 million of other long-term subsidiary debt. In addition, we had $400.0 million in undrawn revolving loan commitments under the credit facility, against which approximately $18.3 million of undrawn letters of credit were outstanding. In the event of our insolvency, liquidation or reorganization, or should any of the indebtedness under the credit facility, the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes or the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes be accelerated because of a default, the holders of those debt obligations would have a prior claim to the proceeds from any liquidation of or distribution from our subsidiaries.
The notes effectively rank junior to any of our secured indebtedness.
The notes are our general unsecured obligations. The notes effectively rank junior to any of our secured indebtedness, including our guaranty of borrowings under the credit facility, to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure indebtedness will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all such secured indebtedness has been repaid in full from such assets. As a result, there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes then outstanding.
We may be unable to repay the notes when due or repurchase the notes when we are required to do so.
At final maturity of the notes or in the event of acceleration of the notes following an event of default, the entire outstanding principal amount of the notes will become due and payable. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as described herein), we will be required to offer to repurchase in cash all outstanding notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the repurchase date. The indentures for our other outstanding indebtedness also provide for repurchase rights upon a change in control and, in some cases, other fundamental changes under different terms. As a result, holders of our other indebtedness may have the ability to require us to repurchase their debt securities before the holders of the notes offered hereby would have such repurchase rights. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at maturity, upon acceleration or at the time of the fundamental change to make the required repurchase of notes and other indebtedness.
In addition, a fundamental change (as described herein) and certain other change of control events would constitute an event of default under the credit facility. The credit facility and the indentures governing the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated notes and the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes contain certain restrictions on our ability to repay or repurchase any of the notes using cash from our subsidiaries, including, in the case of the credit facility, a prohibition on such repayment or repurchase using cash of our subsidiaries in the case of a default or event of default thereunder. As a result, we may not be able to make any of the required payments on, or repurchases of, the notes described in the prior paragraph without obtaining the consent of the lenders under the credit facility with respect to such payment or repurchase. If we were unable to make the required payments or repurchases of the notes, it would constitute an event of default under the notes offered hereby and, as a result, under the credit facility and other outstanding indebtedness.
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The additional shares of Class A common stock payable on notes converted in connection with certain fundamental changes may not adequately compensate you for the lost option time value of your notes as a result of such fundamental changes.
If certain fundamental changes occur, we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate on notes converted in connection with the fundamental change by a number of additional shares of Class A common stock. The number of additional shares of Class A common stock will be determined based on the date on which the fundamental change becomes effective and the price paid per share of our Class A common stock in the fundamental change transaction as described under “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General.” While the increase in the conversion rate upon conversion is designed to compensate you for the lost option time value of your notes as a result of the fundamental change, the increase is only an approximation of this lost value and may not adequately compensate you for your loss. If the price paid per share of our Class A common stock in the fundamental change transaction is less than the Class A common stock price at the date of issuance of the notes or above a specified price, there will be no increase in the conversion rate. In addition, in certain circumstances upon a change of control arising from our acquisition by a public company, we may elect to adjust the conversion rate as described under “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—Conversion After a Public Acquirer Change of Control” and, if we so elect, holders of notes will not be entitled to the increase in the conversion rate described above.
An active trading market for the notes may not develop.
There is currently no public trading market for the notes. The notes are not listed on any national securities exchange or included in any automated quotation system and we do not presently intend to apply for these listings. The notes are eligible for trading on The PortalSM Market. However, an active trading market for the notes may not develop. If such a market does not develop, the trading price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. Moreover, even if such a market were to exist for the notes, the notes could trade at prices that may be lower than the principal amount or your purchase price, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes and our financial performance.
The trading prices for the notes are directly affected by the trading prices of our Class A common stock, the general level of interest rates and our credit quality.
The trading prices of the notes in the secondary market are directly affected by the trading prices of our Class A common stock, the general level of interest rates and our credit quality. It is impossible to predict whether the price of our Class A common stock or interest rates will rise or fall. Trading prices of our Class A common stock will be influenced by our operating results and prospects and by economic, financial and other factors. In addition, general market conditions, including the level of, and fluctuations in, the trading prices of stocks generally, and sales of substantial amounts of Class A common stock by us in the market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could affect the price of our Class A common stock. Fluctuations in interest rates may give rise to arbitrage opportunities based upon changes in the relative value of our Class A common stock. Any other arbitrage could, in turn, affect the trading prices of the notes.
The market for the Class A common stock may be volatile.
The market price of the Class A common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations. These fluctuations could be caused by:
| • | quarterly variations in our results of operations; |
| • | changes in earnings estimates by analysts; |
| • | conditions in our markets; or |
| • | general market or economic conditions. |
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In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have had a substantial effect on the market prices of many companies, often unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These market fluctuations could adversely affect the price of the notes.
If you hold notes, you are not be entitled to any rights with respect to our Class A common stock, but you are subject to all changes made with respect to our Class A common stock.
If you hold notes, you are not be entitled to any rights with respect to our Class A common stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our Class A common stock), but you are subject to all changes affecting the Class A common stock. You will only be entitled to rights on the Class A common stock if and when we deliver shares of Class A common stock to you in exchange for your notes and in limited cases under the anti-dilution adjustments of the notes. For example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to our certificate of incorporation or by-laws requiring stockholder approval and the record date for determining the stockholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to delivery of the Class A common stock, you will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although you will nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers, preferences or special rights of Class A common stock.
There will be dilution of the value of our Class A common stock when outstanding warrants become exercisable.
In January 2003, we issued warrants to purchase approximately 11.4 million shares of our Class A common stock in connection with the offering of the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes. The shares underlying the warrants represented approximately 5.5% and 4.7% of our outstanding common stock at issuance and as of March 31, 2005, respectively (assuming all the warrants are exercised). These warrants will become exercisable on or after January 29, 2006 at an exercise price of $0.01 per share and expire August 1, 2008. The issuance of these shares will have a dilutive effect on the value of our Class A common stock when these warrants are exercised.
Risks Related to Our Business
Decrease in demand for tower space would materially and adversely affect our operating results and we cannot control that demand.
Many of the factors affecting the demand for wireless communications tower space, and to a lesser extent our network development services business, could materially affect our operating results. Those factors include:
| • | consumer demand for wireless services; |
| • | the financial condition of wireless service providers; |
| • | the ability and willingness of wireless service providers to maintain or increase their capital expenditures; |
| • | the growth rate of wireless communications or of a particular wireless segment; |
| • | governmental licensing of spectrum; |
| • | mergers or consolidations among wireless service providers; |
| • | increased use of network sharing arrangements or roaming and resale arrangements by wireless service providers; |
| • | delays or changes in the deployment of 3G or other technologies; |
| • | zoning, environmental, health and other government regulations; and |
| • | technological changes. |
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The demand for broadcast antenna space is dependent on the needs of television and radio broadcasters. Among other things, technological advances, including the development of satellite-delivered radio, may reduce the need for tower-based broadcast transmission. We could also be affected adversely should the development of digital television be further delayed or impaired, or if demand for it were less than anticipated because of delays, disappointing technical performance or cost to the consumer.
Restrictive covenants in the credit facility and indentures could adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility.
The credit facility and the indentures governing the terms of our other debt securities contain restrictive covenants and, in the case of the credit facility, requirements that we comply with certain leverage and other financial tests. These limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness, issuing preferred stock, engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers and sales of assets, and paying dividends and making distributions or other restricted payments, including investments. These covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisition or other opportunities.
If our wireless service provider customers consolidate or merge with each other to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be adversely affected.
Significant consolidation among our wireless service provider customers, such as the recently completed transaction between Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless and the pending transaction between Sprint PCS and Nextel, may result in reduced capital expenditures in the aggregate because the existing networks of many wireless carriers overlap, as do their expansion plans. Similar consequences might occur if wireless service providers engage in extensive sharing, roaming or resale arrangements as an alternative to leasing our antennae space. In January 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eliminated its spectrum cap, which prohibited wireless carriers from owning more than 45 MHz of spectrum in any given geographical area. The FCC has also eliminated the cross-interest rule for metropolitan areas, which limited an entity’s ability to own interests in multiple cellular licenses in an overlapping geographical service area. Also, in May 2003, the FCC adopted new rules authorizing wireless radio services holding exclusive licenses to freely lease unused spectrum. Some wireless carriers may be encouraged to consolidate with each other as a result of these regulatory changes as a means to strengthen their financial condition. Consolidation among wireless carriers would also increase our risk that the loss of one or more of our major customers could materially decrease revenues and cash flows.
Due to the long-term expectations of revenue from tenant leases, the tower industry is sensitive to the creditworthiness of its tenants.
Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we, like others in the tower industry, are dependent on the continued financial strength of our tenants. Many wireless service providers operate with substantial leverage. During the past few years, several of our customers have filed for bankruptcy, although to date these bankruptcies have not had a material adverse effect on our business or revenues. If one or more of our major customers experience financial difficulties, it could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and our loss of significant customers and anticipated lease revenues.
Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could adversely affect our revenues or financial position.
Our business operations in Mexico and Brazil, and any other possible foreign operations in the future, could result in adverse financial consequences and operational problems not experienced in the United States. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004, approximately 18.3% and 16.6%, respectively, of our consolidated revenues were generated by our international operations. We anticipate that our
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revenues from our international operations may grow in the future. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:
| • | changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions; |
| • | laws and regulations that restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds; |
| • | difficulty in recruiting trained personnel; and |
| • | language and cultural differences. |
In addition, we face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. While many of the contracts for our international operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar, others are denominated in the Mexican Peso or the Brazilian Real. We have not historically engaged in significant hedging activities relating to our non- U.S. dollar operations, and we may suffer future losses as a result of changes in currency exchange rates.
A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from a small number of customers.
A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of customers. Approximately 66% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and approximately 64% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004 were derived from ten customers. Our largest domestic customer is Cingular Wireless, which merged with AT&T Wireless in October 2004. Cingular Wireless represented approximately 15% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and the combined revenues of Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless represented approximately 14% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004. Verizon Wireless represented approximately 12% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004. Sprint PCS and Nextel, which announced their merger plans in December 2004, had combined revenues that would have represented approximately 11% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 10% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004. Our largest international customer is Iusacell Celular, which accounted for approximately 5% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004. Iusacell is also an affiliate of TV Azteca, which owns a minority interest in Unefon, which is our second largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 4% and 3% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. In addition, we received $3.5 million and $14.3 million in interest income, net, from TV Azteca for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. If any of these customers were unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under our agreements with them, our revenues, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
In the ordinary course of our business, we also sometimes experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our agreements. Although historically we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on our company or our customer relationships, these disputes could lead to a termination of our agreements with customers or a material modification of the terms of those agreements, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, our relationship with the applicable customer could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenues or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our operating results.
Status of Iusacell Celular’s financial restructuring exposes us to certain risks and uncertainties.
Iusacell Celular is our largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 5% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004. Iusacell currently is in default under certain of its debt obligations and is involved in litigation with certain of its creditors. If Iusacell files for bankruptcy, or if the creditor litigation has an adverse impact on Iusacell’s overall liquidity, it could interfere with Iusacell’s ability to meet its operating obligations, including rental payments under our leases with them.
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New technologies could make our tower antenna leasing services less desirable to potential tenants and result in decreasing revenues.
The development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks could reduce the use and need for tower-based wireless services transmission and reception and have the effect of decreasing demand for antenna space. Examples of such technologies include technologies that enhance spectral capacity, such as lower-rate vocoders, which can increase the capacity at existing sites and reduce the number of additional sites a given carrier needs to serve any given subscriber base. In addition, the emergence of new technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. For example, the growth in delivery of video services by direct broadcast satellites could adversely affect demand for our antenna space. The development and implementation of any of these and similar technologies to any significant degree could have an adverse effect on our operations.
We could have liability under environmental laws.
Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, are subject to the requirements of various federal, state and local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials and wastes. As owner, lessee or operator of approximately 14,800 real estate sites, we may be liable for substantial costs of remediating soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of or were responsible for the contamination. In addition, we cannot assure you that we are at all times in complete compliance with all environmental requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The current cost of complying with these laws is not material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future laws or regulations could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulation of our business, including regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the FCC, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Both the FCC and the FAA regulate towers used for wireless communications and radio and television antennae and the FCC separately regulates transmitting devices operating on towers. Similar regulations exist in Mexico, Brazil and other foreign countries regarding wireless communications and the operation of communications towers. Local zoning authorities and community organizations are often opposed to construction in their communities and these regulations can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, collocations or site upgrade projects, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demand. Existing regulatory policies may adversely affect the timing or cost of new tower construction and locations and additional regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us or that prevent or restrict new tower construction in certain locations. These factors could adversely affect our operations.
Increasing competition in the tower industry may create pricing pressures that may adversely affect us.
Our industry is highly competitive, and our customers have numerous alternatives for leasing antenna space. Some of our competitors, such as national wireless carriers that allow collocation on their towers, are larger and have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors are in weak financial condition or may have lower return on investment criteria than we do. Competitive pricing pressures for tenants on towers from these competitors could adversely affect our lease rates and services income.
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In addition, if we lose customers due to pricing, we may not be able to find new customers, leading to an accompanying adverse effect on our profitability. Increasing competition could also make the acquisition of high quality tower assets more costly.
Our competition includes:
| • | national tower companies; |
| • | wireless carriers that own towers and lease antenna space to other carriers; |
| • | site development companies that purchase antenna space on existing towers for wireless carriers and manage new tower construction; and |
| • | alternative site structures (e.g., building rooftops, billboards and utility poles). |
If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect on our business and operating results.
Our real property interests relating to our towers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests may interfere with our ability to operate our towers and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of sites. Further, we may not be able to renew ground leases on commercially viable terms. Of the approximately 14,000 towers in our portfolio that we own, or hold subject to long-term capital lease, approximately 80% are located on leased land. Approximately 11% of these sites are on land where our property interests in such land have a final expiration date of less than 10 years. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse affect on us.
Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio emissions, especially if these perceived risks are substantiated.
Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications media could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks could slow the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. The potential connection between radio frequency emissions and certain negative health effects has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. To date, the results of these studies have been inconclusive.
If a connection between radio frequency emissions and possible negative health effects, including cancer, were established, or if the public perception that such a connection exists were to increase, our operations, costs and revenues would be materially and adversely affected. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.
The bankruptcy proceeding of our Verestar subsidiary exposes us to risks and uncertainties.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, Verestar, Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws on December 22, 2003. Verestar was reported as a discontinued operation through the date of the bankruptcy filing in 2003 for financial statement purposes and, as of the date of the bankruptcy filing, was deconsolidated for financial statement purposes. In December 2004, substantially all of the remaining fixed assets of Verestar were sold. The bankruptcy proceeding will continue until such time as all claims against Verestar are settled and approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
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If Verestar fails to honor certain of its contractual obligations because of its bankruptcy filing or otherwise, claims may be made against us for breaches by Verestar of those contracts as to which we are primarily or secondarily liable as a guarantor, which as of March 31, 2005, we do not expect will exceed $5.0 million. In addition, Verestar’s bankruptcy estate may bring certain claims against us or seek to hold us liable for certain transfers made by Verestar to us and/or for Verestar’s obligations to creditors under various equitable theories recognized under bankruptcy law. The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the Verestar bankruptcy proceeding (the Committee) has requested, and we have agreed to produce, certain documents in connection with the subpoena for Rule 2004 Examination (as defined under federal bankruptcy laws) issued by the Committee. The Bankruptcy Court also has entered an order approving a stipulation between Verestar and the Committee that permits the Committee to file claims against us and/or our affiliates on behalf of Verestar. In filings with the Bankruptcy Court and in oral statements to our counsel, counsel for the Committee has stated that the Committee may pursue claims against us and certain of our current and former officers or directors. No such claims had been filed as of the date of this prospectus. The outcome of complex litigation (including claims which may be asserted against us by the Committee) cannot be predicted with certainty and is dependent upon many factors beyond our control; however, any such claims, if successful, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition. Finally, we will incur additional costs in connection with our involvement in the Verestar bankruptcy proceedings.
Risks Related to Our Proposed Merger with SpectraSite, Inc.
Our business and stock price could be adversely impacted by uncertainty related to our proposed merger with SpectraSite, Inc.
On May 3, 2005, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger with SpectraSite, Inc. providing for, among other things, the merger of SpectraSite with a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tower. Our business and stock price may be adversely affected if the merger with SpectraSite is not completed. Completion of the proposed merger is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including the receipt of approvals from our stockholders and stockholders of SpectraSite, and receipt of various regulatory approvals and authorizations. There is no assurance that all of the various conditions will be satisfied. If the proposed merger is not completed for any reason, we will be subject to several risks, including having incurred certain costs relating to the proposed merger that are payable whether or not the merger is completed, including legal, accounting and advisory fees, and having diverted the attention of management to the proposed merger and integration planning from our core leasing business and other opportunities that could have been beneficial to us.
The proposed merger involves risks to our business due to the uncertainty surrounding the integration of SpectraSite’s communication site portfolio into our operational system. A completed transaction may have an adverse effect on our operating results, particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following its completion while we integrate the operations of the SpectraSite business. In addition, once integrated, combined operations may not necessarily achieve the levels of revenues, profitability or productivity anticipated.
Whether or not the merger is consummated, the announcement and pendency of the merger could cause disruptions in our business, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Whether or not the merger is consummated, the announcement and pendency of the merger could cause disruptions in or otherwise negatively impact our business. Specifically:
| • | our business combination with SpectraSite may disrupt our business relationships with current customers. For example, a customer may delay or defer decisions about current and future agreements with us because of the pending merger; |
| • | our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company, which might adversely affect our ability to retain key managers and other employees; and |
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| • | the attention of our management may be directed from business operations toward the consummation of the merger. |
These disruptions could be exacerbated by a delay in the consummation of the merger or termination of the merger agreement and could have an adverse effect on our businesses and financial results if the merger is not consummated or of the combined company if the merger is consummated.
We will incur significant costs associated with the merger whether or not the merger is consummated.
We will incur significant costs related to the merger, including legal, accounting, advisory, filing and printing fees. Some of these costs will be incurred whether or not the merger is consummated. If the merger agreement is terminated under specified circumstances, we or SpectraSite may be obligated to pay the other party a $110.0 million termination fee. In connection with a termination of the merger agreement involving certain breaches, we or SpectraSite may be obligated under some circumstances to reimburse the non-breaching company’s costs up to a maximum of $10.0 million.
We may not realize the intended benefits of the merger if we are unable to integrate SpectraSite’s operations, wireless communications tower portfolio and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, which could adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock following the merger.
Achieving the benefits of the merger will depend in part on the integration of our operations, wireless communications tower portfolios and personnel with those of SpectraSite in a timely and efficient manner and the ability of the combined company to realize the anticipated synergies from this integration. We will continue to operate independently from SpectraSite until the consummation of the merger. This integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among others, the size of SpectraSite’s wireless communications tower portfolio and because SpectraSite’s and our internal systems and processes were developed without regard to such integration. Our successful integration with SpectraSite will also require coordination of different personnel, which may be difficult and unpredictable because of possible cultural conflicts and differences in policies, procedures and operations between the companies and the different geographical locations of the companies. If we cannot successfully integrate SpectraSite’s operations, wireless communications tower portfolio and personnel, we and SpectraSite may not realize the expected benefits of the merger, which could adversely affect the combined company’s business and could adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock after the merger. In addition, the integration of our business with SpectraSite may place a significant burden on management and its internal resources. The diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business concerns and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process could harm the combined company’s business and the value of our Class A common stock.
We expect to incur substantial expenses related to the integration of SpectraSite.
We expect to incur substantial expenses in connection with the integration of the business, policies, procedures, operations and systems of SpectraSite. The failure of the combined company to meet the challenges involved in integrating the companies’ business and operations, or to do so in a timely basis, could cause substantial additional expenses and serious harm to the combined company. For example, there are a large number of systems that must be integrated, including management information, accounting and finance, sales, billing, payroll and benefits, lease administration systems and regulatory compliance. While we have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred, there are a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, that could affect the total amount or the timing of all of the expected integration expenses including:
| • | constraints arising under U.S. federal or state antitrust laws, such as limitations on sharing of information, that may prevent or hinder us from fully developing integration plans; |
| • | employee redeployment, relocation or severance, as well as reorganization or closures of facilities; |
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| • | consolidating and rationalizing information technology and administrative infrastructures; |
| • | consolidating operation and management of combined tower portfolio; |
| • | coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively communicate the capabilities of the combined company; |
| • | preserving our supply, marketing or other important relationships and those of SpectraSite, and resolving potential conflicts that may arise; and |
| • | minimizing the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business concerns and successfully returning managers to regular business responsibilities from their integration planning activities. |
Many of the expenses that will be incurred, by their nature, are impracticable to estimate at the present time. These expenses could, particularly in the near term, exceed the savings that the combined company expects to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings related to the integration of the businesses following the consummation of the merger.
The combined company’s revenue will be further dependant upon and derived from a small number of customers.
Due to the overlap of our customers with SpectraSite’s customers, and the consolidation of wireless carriers in general, a substantial portion of the combined company’s total operating revenues will continue to be derived from a small number of customers. For the year ended December 31, 2004, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the merger and the industry transactions described below:
| • | Approximately 59% of the combined company’s revenues would be derived from six customers; |
| • | Approximately 21% of the combined company’s revenues would be derived from Cingular Wireless, which merged with AT&T Wireless in October 2004; |
| • | Approximately 17% of the combined company’s revenues would be derived from Sprint PCS and Nextel, which announced their merger plans in December 2004; and |
| • | Approximately 10% of the combined company’s revenues would be derived from Verizon Wireless. |
If any of these customers were unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under any agreements with the combined company, the combined company’s revenues, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. In the ordinary course of business, we and SpectraSite also sometimes experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our respective agreements. Although historically we and SpectraSite resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on our respective businesses or customer relationships, in the future these disputes could lead to a termination of agreements with customers or a material modification of the terms of those agreements, either of which could have a material adverse effect on the combined company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. If the combined company is forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, the combined company’s relationship with the applicable customer could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenues or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on the combined company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Following the consummation of the merger, the combined company’s indebtedness will be greater than our existing indebtedness.
The indebtedness of SpectraSite as of March 31, 2005 was approximately $749.0 million, and our indebtedness as of March 31, 2005 was approximately $3.1 billion. Our pro forma indebtedness as of March 31, 2005, giving effect to the merger, as described in the section captioned “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
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Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 55, would have been approximately $3.9 billion. As a result of the contemplated increase in debt, demands on our cash resources will increase after the merger, which could negatively impact the business, results of operations and financial condition of the combined company and the market price of our Class A common stock. For example, while the impact of this increased indebtedness will be addressed by the cash flows of the combined company, the increased levels of indebtedness could nonetheless reduce funds available to us for tower acquisitions, construction and improvements, or create competitive disadvantages for us compared to other companies with lower debt levels.
As a consequence of this increased level of indebtedness, the combined company will be subject to restrictive covenants that will further limit the financial and operating flexibility of the combined company. The covenants contained in our credit facility and indentures and the credit facility and indenture of SpectraSite could place the combined company at a disadvantage compared to some of its competitors which may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. For example, the limits imposed by our indebtedness and that of SpectraSite restricts our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness, issuing preferred stock, engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers and sales of assets, and paying dividends and making distributions or other restricted payments, including investments. These restrictions could have an adverse effect on the business of the combined company by limiting its ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisition or other opportunities.
As a result of the merger, we or SpectraSite, or one of our subsidiaries acting for SpectraSite, may be required to repurchase or refinance SpectraSite’s outstanding debt. Such repurchase or refinancing may not be feasible or available to the combined company on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
As a result of the merger, we or SpectraSite, or one of our subsidiaries acting for SpectraSite, may be required to repurchase SpectraSite’s 8.25% senior notes due 2010 and refinance bank debt of SpectraSite Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SpectraSite. Such repurchase or refinancing may not be feasible or available to the combined company on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Under the indenture governing SpectraSite’s senior notes, the merger may constitute a “Change of Control Triggering Event”. A Change of Control Triggering Event means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Decline. The merger will constitute a Change of Control, but, at this time, it is unclear whether a Ratings Decline will also occur. A Ratings Decline means (1) a decrease of one or more gradations, including gradations within ratings categories as well as between ratings categories, in the rating of the senior notes by either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. or (2) a withdrawal of the rating of the senior notes by either rating agency; provided, however, that such decrease or withdrawal occurs on or within 90 days following the date or public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by SpectraSite to effect a Change of Control, which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the senior notes is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by either rating agency. As of June 14, 2005, SpectraSite’s senior notes were rated B- by Standard & Poor’s and B2 by Moody’s. If a Ratings Decline occurs, which would therefore constitute a Change of Control Triggering Event, then SpectraSite, American Tower or any of their subsidiaries, will be required to make an offer to repurchase the $200.0 million outstanding senior notes at 101% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, unless the applicable provisions of the indenture are amended or waived by the holders of the senior notes. At this time, it is unclear whether there will be a Change of Control Triggering Event and, if so, how many of the senior notes SpectraSite may actually be required to repurchase by the holders thereof in response to the offer to repurchase.
Under the credit agreement governing the $900.0 million senior secured credit facility of SpectraSite Communications, the merger will constitute a “Change of Control” which is an event of default unless the credit facility is refinanced or an amendment or waiver of the applicable provisions of the credit agreement by the applicable lenders is obtained. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the credit facility, the combined company would, without an amendment or waiver by the lenders, lose access to credit facility fundings and the
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lenders could foreclose and seek other remedies against the collateral securing the credit facility. As of March 31, 2005, the aggregate amount outstanding under the credit facility was approximately $549.0 million.
If we or SpectraSite, or our subsidiaries, are required to repurchase senior notes or refinance the credit facility as described above, they may not have access to funds to effect the repurchases or to financing for such repurchases or an ability to refinance the credit facility, as the case may be, on reasonable commercial terms or at all. If either an offer to repurchase under the indenture or a refinancing of the credit facility is necessary and the combined company cannot effect such actions, then there would be an event of default under the applicable agreement. Such event of default would result in an event of default by SpectraSite or SpectraSite Communications and could, in turn, give rise to a cross-default or cross-acceleration to the other debt agreement and to other applicable outstanding debt of the combined company.
The matters described above may not be resolved until after the closing of the merger because they are not conditions to its consummation. In addition, whether there will be a Ratings Decline and, therefore, any requirement that SpectraSite offer to repurchase the senior notes under the indenture, may not be known until after the closing because the indenture provides that a Ratings Decline may occur on or within 90 days following the date or announcement of the merger and may be further extended. As a result, stockholders may approve the merger and the merger may be consummated, but the need to make an offer to repurchase senior notes may not arise until after the closing.
Resales of our Class A common stock following the merger and additional obligations to issue our Class A common stock may cause the market price of that stock to fall.
The merger will dilute the ownership position of our present stockholders. As of June 14, 2005, we had approximately 230.9 million shares of Class A common stock outstanding, approximately 29.5 million shares of Class A common stock subject to outstanding options and warrants, as well as outstanding convertible notes that, if converted, would represent approximately 39.4 million shares of Class A common stock and approximately 4.0 million shares of Class A common stock subject to our employee stock purchase plan. We are obligated to issue approximately 186.5 million shares of Class A common stock in connection with the merger, including approximately 168.6 million shares issuable at the closing with respect to outstanding shares of SpectraSite common stock as of June 14, 2005 and up to approximately 17.8 million shares issuable pursuant to outstanding SpectraSite options and warrants as of June 14, 2005. The issuance of these new shares and the sale of additional shares of our Class A common stock that may become eligible for sale in the public market from time to time upon exercise of options, including shares of our Class A common stock subject to SpectraSite stock options assumed by us in the merger, could have the effect of depressing the market price for our Class A common stock.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 2000 through 2004 and the three months ended March 31, 2005 are set forth in the table below:
| Year Ended December 31, |
Three Months March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 | |||||||
| Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| (1) | For purposes of calculating this ratio, “earnings” consists of loss from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest, loss on equity method investments, fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized) and amortization of interest capitalized. “Fixed charges” consists of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of debt discount and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense associated with operating leases believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon. We had a deficiency in earnings to fixed charges in each period as follows (in thousands): 2000—$304,217; 2001—$535,048; 2002—$409,814; 2003—$315,903; 2004—$311,831; and the three months ended March 31, 2005—$34,093. |
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by any selling securityholder of the notes or the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
MARKET FOR OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK
The following table presents reported quarterly high and low per share sale prices of our Class A common stock on the NYSE for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
| 2003 |
High |
Low | ||||
| Quarter ended March 31 |
$ | 5.94 | $ | 3.55 | ||
| Quarter ended June 30 |
9.90 | 5.41 | ||||
| Quarter ended September 30 |
11.74 | 8.73 | ||||
| Quarter ended December 31 |
12.00 | 9.59 | ||||
| 2004 |
High |
Low | ||||
| Quarter ended March 31 |
$ | 13.12 | $ | 9.89 | ||
| Quarter ended June 30 |
16.00 | 11.13 | ||||
| Quarter ended September 30 |
15.85 | 13.10 | ||||
| Quarter ended December 31 |
18.75 | 15.19 | ||||
| 2005 |
High |
Low | ||||
| Quarter ended March 31 |
$ | 19.28 | $ | 17.30 | ||
| Quarter ended June 30 (through June 27) |
$ | 20.60 | $ | 16.28 | ||
On June 27, 2005, the closing price of our Class A common stock was $20.47 per share as reported on the NYSE.
As of June 14, 2005, we had 230,916,954 outstanding shares of Class A common stock and 721 registered holders.
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We have never paid a dividend on any class of common stock. We anticipate that we may retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. The indentures governing our 9 3/8% senior notes due 2009, our 7.50% senior notes due 2012, and our 7.125% senior notes due 2012 prohibit us from paying dividends to our stockholders unless we satisfy certain financial covenants.
Our borrower subsidiaries are generally prohibited under the terms of the credit facility, subject to certain exceptions, from making to us any direct or indirect distribution, dividend or other payment on account of their limited liability company interests, partnership interests, capital stock or other equity interests, except that, if no default exists or would be created thereby under the credit facility, our borrower subsidiaries may pay cash dividends or make other distributions to us in accordance with the credit facility within certain specified amounts and, in addition, may pay cash dividends or make other distributions to us in respect of our outstanding indebtedness and permitted future indebtedness. The indentures governing the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 and the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes due 2011 prohibit ATI and certain of our other subsidiaries that have guaranteed those notes from paying dividends and making other payments or distributions to us, unless certain financial covenants are satisfied, except that our borrower subsidiaries may pay dividends or make other payments or distributions to us up to certain specified amounts in respect of certain of our outstanding indebtedness and permitted future indebtedness and, if no default exists or would be created thereby under the indentures governing such indebtedness and certain additional tests are met that could not currently be met, up to certain specified amounts.
Selling securityholders may use this prospectus to offer and sell the notes and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. See “Plan of Distribution.” The table below sets forth information about the beneficial ownership of the notes and shares of our Class A common stock by each selling securityholder who has timely provided us with a completed and executed notice and questionnaire stating its intent to use this prospectus to sell or otherwise dispose of notes and/or shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. We have prepared this table using information furnished to us by or on behalf of the selling securityholders. For purposes of the following table, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes the right to acquire voting or investment control of our Class A common stock within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of Class A common stock, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. The inclusion of any securities in the table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by the persons named therein.
Our registration of the notes and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes does not mean that the selling securityholders identified below will sell all or any of these securities. In addition, the selling securityholders may have sold, transferred or disposed of all or a portion of their notes in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act since the date on which they provided the information regarding their holdings. The identity and holdings of the selling securityholders may change from time to time. We may supplement this prospectus to disclose substitutions of previously identified selling securityholders and changes in the amounts held by identified securityholders, as we become aware of that information.
Except where disclosure is included in the table below regarding natural persons exercising investment and voting control over the securities held by the selling securityholders, the selling securityholders have represented to us that they are a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a majority-owned subsidiary thereof, or an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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| Principal Amount of Notes Beneficially Owned that may be Sold |
Shares of Class A |
Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned Before the Offering |
Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering (4) | ||||||||||
| Name |
Number (2) |
Percent (3) |
Number (2) |
Percent (3) | |||||||||
| Akela Capital Master Fund, Ltd.(5) |
$ | 4,000,000 | 195,122 | 195,122 | * | — | * | ||||||
| Alexandra Global Master Fund Ltd.(6) |
2,500,000 | 121,951 | 121,951 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Arbitex Master Fund L.P.(7)(8) |
2,000,000 | 97,561 | 97,561 | * | — | * | |||||||
| ATSF-Transamerica Convertible Securities(7)(9) |
7,500,000 | 365,853 | 365,853 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.(10)(11) |
500,000 | 24,390 | 24,390 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation(12) |
1,350,000 | 65,853 | 65,853 | * | — | * | |||||||
| CBI Pension Plan(12) |
25,000 | 1,219 | 1,219 | * | — | * | |||||||
| CC Convertible Arbitrage, Ltd.(7)(13) |
2,000,000 | 97,561 | 97,561 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Chrysler Corporation Master Retirement Trust(14) |
8,225,000 | 401,219 | 401,219 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Citigroup Global Markets Inc.(10)(15) |
50,000 | 2,439 | 125,151 | * | 122,712 | * | |||||||
| CNH CA Master Account, L.P.(16) |
1,500,000 | 73,170 | 236,786 | * | 163,616 | * | |||||||
| Coda Capital Management, LLC(17) |
270,000 | 13,170 | 13,170 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Coda Capital ND Portfolio(17) |
100,000 | 4,878 | 4,878 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Context Convertible Arbitrage Fund, LP(18) |
450,000 | 21,951 | 74,378 | * | 52,427 | * | |||||||
| Context Convertible Arbitrage Offshore, Ltd.(18) |
1,455,000 | 70,975 | 234,683 | * | 163,708 | * | |||||||
| Convertible Securities Fund(19) |
20,000 | 975 | 1,874 | * | 899 | * | |||||||
| Credit Suisse First Boston LLC(10)(20) |
10,000,000 | 487,805 | 487,805 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Credos High Yield Bond, L.P.(12) |
1,000,000 | 48,780 | 48,780 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.(10)(19) |
12,300,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Drawbridge Convertible I Ltd.(21) |
1,000,000 | 48,780 | 48,780 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Drawbridge Convertible II Ltd.(21) |
320,000 | 15,609 | 15,609 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Drawbridge Global Macro Master Fund Ltd.(21) |
2,680,000 | 130,731 | 130,731 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Dreyfus Premier High Income Fund(12)(19) |
1,350,000 | 65,853 | 65,853 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Elizabeth D Bruce Trust(17) |
20,000 | 975 | 975 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island(12) |
250,000 | 12,195 | 12,195 | * | — | * | |||||||
| F.M. Kirby Foundation, Inc.(14) |
1,435,000 | 70,000 | 70,000 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Gartmore Convertible Fund(17) |
330,000 | 16,097 | 16,097 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Geode U.S. Convertible Arbitrage Fund(22) |
500,000 | 24,390 | 24,390 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Global Bermuda Limited Partnership |
2,700,000 | 131,707 | 645,052 | * | 513,345 | * | |||||||
| GMAM Investments Funds Trust(12) |
800,000 | 39,024 | 39,024 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Goldman Sachs & Co.(10)(23) |
2,000,000 | 97,561 | 97,561 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Grace Brothers, Ltd.(24) |
2,000,000 | 97,561 | 261,177 | * | 163,616 | * | |||||||
| Grace Convertible Arbitrage Fund, Ltd.(24) |
7,000,000 | 341,463 | 505,079 | * | 163,616 | * | |||||||
| Harbor High-Yield Bond Fund(12)(19) |
150,000 | 7,317 | 7,317 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Highbridge International LLC(7)(25) |
25,000,000 | 1,219,512 | 1,386,623 | * | 167,111 | * | |||||||
| Honeywell International Inc. Master Retirement Trust(12) |
800,000 | 39,024 | 39,024 | * | — | * | |||||||
| IDEX-Transamerica Convertible Securities Fund(7)(9) |
3,750,000 | 182,926 | 182,926 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Institutional Benchmark Management(19) |
520,000 | 25,365 | 69,423 | * | 44,058 | * | |||||||
| International Truck & Engine Corporation Non-Contributory Retirement Plan Trust(14) |
1,000,000 | 48,780 | 48,780 | * | — | * | |||||||
| International Truck & Engine Corporation Retiree Health Benefit Trust(14) |
355,000 | 17,317 | 17,317 | * | — | * | |||||||
| International Truck & Engine Corporation Retirement Plan for Salaried Employees Trust(14) |
870,000 | 42,439 | 42,439 | * | — | * | |||||||
| James Mellor Trust(17) |
30,000 | 1,463 | 1,463 | * | — | * | |||||||
| JMG Capital Partners, L.P.(19) |
8,250,000 | 402,439 | 402,439 | * | — | * | |||||||
| JMG Triton Offshore Fund, Ltd.(19) |
8,250,000 | 402,439 | 402,439 | * | — | * | |||||||
| JP Morgan Securities Inc.(10)(26) |
500,000 | 24,390 | 459,062 | * | 434,672 | * | |||||||
| Lakeshore International, Ltd. |
10,800,000 | 526,829 | 2,222,299 | * | 1,695,470 | * | |||||||
| Lehman Brothers, Inc.(10) |
4,100,000 | 200,000 | 378,254 | * | 178,254 | * | |||||||
| LW Paxson CRUT Convertible Bond Portfolio(17) |
20,000 | 975 | 975 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Lyxor/Zola Fund, Ltd.(27) |
2,500,000 | 121,951 | 121,951 | * | — | * | |||||||
| Mark IV Industries Inc. and Subsidiaries Employees’ Retirement Income Trust Fund(12) |
100,000 | 4,878 | 4,878 | * | — | * | |||||||
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Table of Contents
| Principal Amount of Notes Beneficially Owned that may be Sold |
Shares of Class A |
Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned Before the Offering |
Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering (4) |
||||||||||||
| Name |
Number (2) |
Percent (3) |
Number (2) |
Percent (3) |
|||||||||||
| MFS/SunLife Series Trust(7)(19) |
200,000 | 9,756 | 9,756 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Microsoft Corporation(14) |
555,000 | 27,073 | 34,160 | * | 7,087 | * | |||||||||
| Motion Picture Industry Health Plan – Active Member Fund(14) |
185,000 | 9,024 | 9,024 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Motion Picture Industry Health Plan – Retiree Member Fund(14) |
130,000 | 6,341 | 6,341 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| MSD TCB, LP(28) |
25,500,000 | 1,243,902 | 1,243,902 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| National Bank of Canada(7)(17) |
175,000 | 8,536 | 27,953 | * | 19,417 | * | |||||||||
| Nations Convertible Securities Fund(19) |
3,980,000 | 194,146 | 321,275 | * | 127,129 | * | |||||||||
| New York City Employees Retirement System(12) |
350,000 | 17,073 | 17,073 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| New York City Police Pension Fund(12) |
150,000 | 7,317 | 7,317 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Nomura Securities International, Inc.(10)(29) |
5,000,000 | 243,902 | 243,902 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Och-Ziff Capital Structure Arbitrage Master Fund, Ltd.(30) |
7,000,000 | 341,463 | 341,463 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| OCM Convertible Trust(14) |
2,290,000 | 111,707 | 111,707 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| OCM Global Convertible Securities Fund(14) |
240,000 | 11,707 | 12,580 | * | 873 | * | |||||||||
| OZ Master Fund, Ltd.(30) |
9,903,000 | 483,073 | 2,295,373 | * | 1,812,300 | * | |||||||||
| Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd.(14) |
1,570,000 | 76,585 | 76,585 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Pension Reserves Investment Trust(12) |
1,350,000 | 65,853 | 65,853 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Permal Global High Yield Holdings N.V.(12) |
850,000 | 41,463 | 41,463 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| PIMCO Convertible Fund(19) |
350,000 | 17,073 | 17,073 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Polaris Vega Fund L.P.(31) |
7,250,000 | 353,658 | 353,658 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Praxair Inc.(12) |
125,000 | 6,097 | 6,097 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Primus High Yield Bond Fund, L.P.(12) |
1,500,000 | 73,170 | 73,170 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Producers-Writers Guild of America Pension Plan(12) |
200,000 | 9,756 | 9,756 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Quattro Fund Ltd.(19) |
5,700,000 | 278,048 | 626,980 | * | 348,932 | * | |||||||||
| Quattro Multistrategy Master Fund LP(19) |
780,000 | 38,048 | 59,698 | * | 21,650 | * | |||||||||
| Qwest Occupational Health Trust(14) |
290,000 | 14,146 | 14,146 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Reform Pension Board(12) |
100,000 | 4,878 | 4,878 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Retirement Income Plan for Employees of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.(12) |
150,000 | 7,317 | 7,317 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Retirement Program Plan for Employees of the US Enrichment Corp.(12) |
100,000 | 4,878 | 4,878 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Richard Mueller(17) |
30,000 | 1,463 | 1,463 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| State Employees’ Retirement Fund of the State of Delaware(14) |
1,930,000 | 94,146 | 155,092 | * | 60,946 | * | |||||||||
| The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. – Commercial Lines(14) |
245,000 | 11,951 | 13,795 | * | 1,844 | * | |||||||||
| The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. – Personal Lines(14) |
170,000 | 8,292 | 9,554 | * | 1,262 | * | |||||||||
| Sunrise Partners Limited Partnership(7)(32) |
15,425,000 | 752,439 | 759,355 | * | 6,916 | * | |||||||||
| Teachers Retirement System for the City of New York(12) |
350,000 | 17,073 | 17,073 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| UBS AG London(33) |
5,000,000 | 243,902 | 243,902 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| UBS Securities LLC(10) |
2,550,000 | 124,390 | 124,390 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| UnumProvident Corporation(14) |
780,000 | 38,048 | 38,048 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund, Inc.(14)(19) |
13,630,000 | 664,878 | 704,145 | * | 39,267 | * | |||||||||
| Vicis Capital Master Fund(34) |
6,250,000 | 304,878 | 304,878 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Victus Capital, LP(7)(35) |
6,250,000 | 304,878 | 304,878 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Wachovia Capital Markets LLC(10)(36) |
2,500,000 | 121,951 | 121,951 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Wachovia Securities International Ltd.(10)(36) |
5,000,000 | 243,902 | 243,902 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| White River Securities L.L.C.(10)(37) |
500,000 | 24,390 | 24,390 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Zola Partners, L.P.(38) |
500,000 | 24,390 | 24,390 | * | — | * | |||||||||
| Total(39) |
$ | 345,000,000 | 16,829,273 | 23,140,400 | 10.0 | % | 6,311,127 | 2.7 | % | ||||||
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| * | Indicates less than 1%. |
| (1) | Assumes conversion of the entire amount of notes held by the selling securityholder at the rate of 48.7805 shares of our Class A common stock per each $1,000 principal amount of notes converted. The number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may be adjusted under circumstances described under “Description of Notes.” Under the terms of the notes, cash will be paid instead of issuing any fractional shares. |
| (2) | Includes shares of Class A common stock that the selling securityholder has the right to acquire upon conversion of our 3.00% convertible notes due August 15, 2012, 3.25% convertible notes due August 1, 2010, 2.25% convertible notes due 2009 and 5.0% convertible notes due 2010. |
| (3) | Based on 230,916,954 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of June 14, 2005. |
| (4) | We cannot estimate the amount of notes or the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes that will be beneficially owned by the selling securityholders after any offering by the selling securityholders because they may sell all or a portion of the notes or the shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by them. However, for purposes of this table, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the shares of Class A common stock covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling securityholders. |
| (5) | Anthony B. Bosco has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (6) | Alexandra Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Alexandra”), serves as investment advisor to the Selling Securityholder (beneficial owner). By reason of such relationship, Alexandra may be deemed to share dispositive power or investment control over the shares of common stock stated as beneficially owned by the Selling Securityholder. Alexandra disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock. Messrs. Mikhail A. Filimonov (“Filimonov”) and Dimitri Sogoloff (“Sogoloff”) are managing members of Alexandra. By reason of such relationships, Filimonov and Sogoloff may be deemed to share dispositive power or investment control over the shares of common stock stated as beneficially owned by the Selling Securityholder. Filimonov and Sogoloff disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock. |
| (7) | This selling securityholder has identified itself as an affiliate of a broker-dealer. Please see “Plan of Distribution” for required disclosure regarding these selling securityholders. |
| (8) | Clark Hunt, Jonathan Bren and Ken Tananbaum have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (9) | Kirk Kim and Edward Han, as investment officers, have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (10) | This selling securityholder has identified itself as a registered broker-dealer and, accordingly, an underwriter. Please see “Plan of Distribution” for required disclosure regarding these selling securityholders. |
| (11) | This selling securityholder is a majority owned subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. |
| (12) | Shenkman Capital acts as investment manager for the selling securityholder’s account. |
| (13) | As investment manager under a management agreement, Castle Creek Convertible Arbitrage LLC may exercise dispositive and voting power with respect to the shares owned by CC Convertible Arbitrage, Ltd. Castle Creek Convertible Arbitrage LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Daniel Asher and Allan Weine are the managing members of Castle Creek Convertible Arbitage LLC. Messrs. Asher and Weine disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by CC Convertible Arbitrage, Ltd. |
| (14) | Oaktree Capital Management LLC (“Oaktree”) is the investment manager of this selling securityholder. Oaktree does not own any equity interest in this selling securityholder but has investment and voting control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. Lawrence Keele is a principal of Oaktree and is the portfolio manager for this selling securityholder. Mr. Keele, Oaktree and all employees and members of Oaktree disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held by this selling securityholder, except for their pecuniary interest therein. |
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Table of Contents
| (15) | This selling securityholder is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. |
| (16) | CNH Partners, LLC is the investment advisor of the selling securityholder and has sole voting and dispositive power over these securities. Investment principals for the advisor are Robert Krail, Mark Mitchell and Todd Pulvino. |
| (17) | This selling securityholder is a majority owned subsidiary of Gartmore SA Capital Trust. |
| (18) | Michael Rosen and William Fertig have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (19) | This selling securityholder is a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| (20) | Jeff Andrewski has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (21) | This selling securityholder is a wholly owned subsidiary of an investment fund that is under common control with an SEC registered investment advisor. Steven Qian has investment and voting control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (22) | Vincent Gubitosi has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (23) | This selling securityholder is a majority owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs & Co. |
| (24) | Bradford Whitmore and Michael Brailov have investment and voting control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (25) | Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca, principals of Highbridge Capital Management, the trading advisor to Highbridge International LLC, have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (26) | This selling securityholder is a majority owned subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase Bank. |
| (27) | Mark Zola, Managing Member at Zola Capital Management, investment advisor to Lyxor/Zola Fund, Ltd., has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (28) | John Phelan and Glenn Furman have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (29) | Simon Pharr has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (30 | Daniel S. Och as Senior Managing Member of OZ Management, LLC, the investment manager to this selling securityholder, may be deemed to have voting and/or investment control to the securities held by this selling securityholder. |
| (31) | Gregory R. Levinson has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (32) | S. Donald Sussman has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (33) | Dominic Lynch has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (34) | John Succo, Shad Stastney and Sky Lucas have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (35) | John Succo, Sky Lucas, Shad Stastney and Bryan Rwan have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (36) | This selling securityholder is a majority owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation. |
| (37) | Yan Erlikh and David Liebowitz have voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (38) | Mark Zola, Managing Member at Zola Capital Management, General Partner of Zola Partners, L.P., has voting and investment control over the securities beneficially owned by this selling securityholder. |
| (39) | Because certain of the selling securityholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes either under this prospectus or in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 since the date on which they provided to us the information presented in this table, this prospectus may not reflect the exact principal amount of notes held by each selling securityholder on the date hereof. Information about other selling securityholders, if any, will be set forth from time to time in one or more post-effective amendments to the registration statement, as may be |
28
Table of Contents
| required by SEC rules and regulations, of which this prospectus forms a part. We have assumed that any other holders of the securities, or any future transferees, pledgees, donees or successors of or from any such holders of securities do not beneficially own any shares of Class A common stock other than the Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. The maximum aggregate principal amount of notes that may be sold pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $345,000,000. |
Other than as set forth above, no selling securityholder nor any of its affiliates has held any position or office with, been employed by or otherwise has had any material relationship with us or our affiliates during the three years before the date of this prospectus.
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Table of Contents
We issued the notes under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Copies of the indenture and the registration rights agreement referred to below are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and are available as set forth above on page 1 under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” The following is a summary of certain provisions of the indenture and the registration rights agreement and does not purport to be complete. Reference should be made to all provisions of the indenture and the registration rights agreement, including the definitions of certain terms contained therein. As used in this section, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to American Tower Corporation, but not any of our subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
General
The notes are our senior unsecured general obligations. The notes are limited to an aggregate principal amount of $345,000,000. The notes will mature on August 15, 2012.
The notes accrue interest at a rate of 3.00% per annum from August 20, 2004, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, and accrued and unpaid interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which we refer to as interest payment dates, beginning February 15, 2005. Interest will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1, which we refer to as the record dates, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date. Each payment of interest on the notes will include interest accrued through the day before the applicable interest payment date (or purchase or redemption, as the case may be). Any payment required to be made on any day that is not a business day will be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date that the payment was due and no interest will accrue on that payment for the period from the original payment date to the date of that payment on the next succeeding business day. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Payments on the notes will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee. At our option, however, we may make payments by check mailed to the holder’s registered address or, with respect to global notes, by wire transfer. You may present the notes for conversion, registration of transfer and exchange, without service charge, at the office of our paying agent, initially the trustee, in New York, New York and at the corporate trust office of the trustee in New York, New York.
Ranking
The notes rank equally with our senior unsecured indebtedness. As of March 31, 2005, our senior unsecured indebtedness included $345.0 million principal amount of the notes, $485.7 million principal amount of convertible notes due in 2009 and 2010, $141.9 million principal amount of our 9 3/8% senior notes due 2009, $225.0 million principal amount of our 7.50% senior notes due 2012, and $500.0 million principal amount of our 7.125% senior notes due 2012.
Our subsidiaries do not guarantee the notes. The notes are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness of our subsidiaries. This indebtedness includes the borrowings of our principal operating subsidiaries under the credit facility, the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes and the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes, all of which are guaranteed by us and substantially all of our subsidiaries. Additionally, the credit facility is secured by our assets and the assets of substantially all of our subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2005, the following amounts of subsidiary debt were outstanding: $697.0 million under the credit facility, $310.3 million accreted value of ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes ($291.7 million, net of the allocated fair value of warrants of $18.6 million), $400.0 million of ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes and $59.6 million of other long-term subsidiary debt. In addition, under the credit facility, we would have had $400.0 million in undrawn revolving loan commitments, against which approximately $18.3 million of undrawn letters of credit were outstanding.
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Conversion
You are entitled to convert your notes, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount or multiples thereof, into our Class A common stock at any time before the close of business on the last trading day prior to the maturity date of the notes, subject to prior redemption or repurchase of the notes. Each $1,000 principal amount of notes may be converted into our Class A common stock at the conversion rate of 48.7805 shares per note, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $20.50 per share. The conversion rate may be adjusted for certain events as described under “Conversion Rate Adjustments”, but it will not be adjusted for accrued interest.
Upon conversion, you will not be entitled to any payment or adjustment on account of accrued and unpaid interest on the notes. Our delivery to you of the fixed number of shares of Class A common stock into which the notes are convertible, together with cash in lieu of any fractional share, will be deemed to satisfy our obligation to pay principal and accrued interest on the notes to the date of conversion. Accrued interest is deemed to be paid in full rather than canceled, extinguished or forfeited.
If the notes are converted during the period after any interest record date and prior to the corresponding interest payment date, you will receive the interest payable on those notes on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion (unless they have been called for redemption on a redemption date within the period from the close of business on any regular record date to the opening of business on the next interest payment date) and upon surrender of the notes for conversion you must pay funds equal to the semi-annual cash interest payable on the principal amount to be converted. You may not convert notes called for redemption after the close of business on the business day preceding the date fixed for redemption, unless we default in payment of the redemption price. We will not issue fractional shares of Class A common stock upon conversion. Rather, we will pay the converting holder cash equal to the fair market value of the fractional interest, unless cash payment is prohibited by our indebtedness. In that case, we will issue fractional shares.
If you wish to exercise your conversion right, you must deliver an irrevocable conversion notice, together, if the notes are in certificated form, with the certificated security (the date of such delivery of notice, the “conversion date”), to the conversion agent who will, on your behalf, convert the notes into shares of our Class A common stock. You may obtain copies of the required form of the conversion notice from the conversion agent. The Bank of New York will act as the initial conversion agent.
If and only to the extent you elect to convert your notes in connection with a transaction described in clause (4) of the definition of fundamental change as described below under “—Repurchase at Option of Holder upon a Fundamental Change” pursuant to which 10% or more of the consideration for our Class A common stock (other than cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights) in such fundamental change transaction consists of cash or securities (or other property) that are not traded or scheduled to be traded immediately following such transaction on a U.S. national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, we will increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares as described under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General” or, in lieu thereof, we may in certain circumstances elect to adjust the conversion rate and related conversion obligation so that the notes are convertible into shares of the acquiring or surviving entity as described under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—Conversion After a Public Acquirer Change of Control.” We must give notice to all holders and to the trustee at least 15 trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such a fundamental change. We must also give notice to all holders and to the trustee that such a fundamental change has become effective. Holders may surrender notes for conversion and receive the additional shares described under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General” at any time from and after the date which is 15 days prior to the anticipated effective date of such fundamental change until and including the date which is 15 days after the actual effective date (or, if such transaction also results in holders having a right to require us to repurchase their notes, until the fundamental change repurchase date).
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If we engage in certain reclassifications of our Class A common stock or if we are a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets, in each case pursuant to which our Class A common stock is converted into cash, securities or other property, then at the effective time of the transaction, the right to convert a note into our Class A common stock will be changed into a right to convert a note into the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property which a holder would have received if the holder had converted its notes immediately prior to the applicable record date for such transaction. In such a case, any increase in the conversion rate by the additional shares as described under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General” will not be payable in shares of our Class A common stock, but will represent a right to receive the aggregate amount of cash, securities or other property into which the additional shares would convert into in the transaction from the surviving entity (or an indirect or direct parent thereof). Notwithstanding the first sentence of this paragraph, if we elect to adjust the conversion rate and our conversion obligation as described in “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—Conversion After a Public Acquirer Change of Control,” the provisions described in that section will apply instead of the provisions described in the first sentence of this paragraph.
In addition, if the transaction constitutes a fundamental change, a holder may be able to require us to redeem all or a portion of its notes as described under “—Repurchase at Option of Holder upon a Fundamental Change.”
Conversion Rate Adjustments
The initial conversion rate into shares of our Class A common stock is subject to adjustment upon the following events:
| (1) | the issuance of shares of Class A common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of Class A common stock. In such cases the conversion rate shall be increased by multiplying: |
| • | the conversion rate by |
| • | a fraction, the numerator of which will be the sum of the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding immediately prior to distribution plus the number of shares constituting such distribution, and the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding immediately prior to the distribution; |
| (2) | subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of the shares of Class A common stock, (other than reclassifications provided for under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes”). In cases of subdivisions and combinations, the conversion rate will be appropriately adjusted to reflect the greater or lesser number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding after any such subdivision or combination. In case of a reclassification, the conversion rate will be adjusted so that upon conversion, a holder of notes will receive the securities it would have owned or have been entitled to receive had such notes been converted immediately prior to the reclassification; |
| (3) | the issuance to all holders of shares of Class A common stock of options, rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Class A common stock (or securities convertible into shares of Class A common stock) for a period of not more than 45 days to subscribe for or purchase shares of Class A common stock at a price per share (or a conversion price per share) less than the current market price per share, provided, however, that the conversion rate will be readjusted to the extent that such subscription, purchase or conversion rights are not exercised on or prior to the expiration date thereof. In such cases, the conversion rate will be increased by multiplying: |
| • | the conversion rate by |
| • | a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding plus the number of shares so offered for subscription or purchase and the denominator shall be the number of shares outstanding plus the number of shares of Class A common stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Class A common stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at the current market price per share. |
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| (4) | a payment by us or one of our subsidiaries in respect of a repurchase (including by way of a tender offer or exchange offer) of shares of our Class A common stock to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Class A common stock exceeds the current market price per share (as defined below) of our Class A common stock on the trading day next succeeding the date of such repurchase (or the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to a tender or exchange offer). In such cases, the conversion rate will be increased by multiplying: |
| • | the conversion rate by |
| • | a fraction, the numerator of which will be the sum of (x) the fair market value, as determined by our board of directors, of the aggregate consideration payable for all shares of our Class A common stock we purchase in such repurchases and (y) the product of the number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding less any such purchased shares and the current market price per share of our Class A common stock on the trading day next succeeding the date of the repurchases (or the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to a tender or exchange offer) and the denominator of which will be the product of the number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding, including any such purchased shares, and the current market price per share of our Class A common stock on the trading day next succeeding the date of the repurchases (or the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to a tender or exchange offer); |
| (5) | the distribution to all holders of shares of Class A common stock of shares of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, securities, cash or other assets, including options, rights or warrants to purchase our securities, excluding from the foregoing distributions of shares of Class A common stock referred to in (1) above, options, rights and warrants (or convertible securities) referred to in (3) above, dividends and distributions paid exclusively in cash covered by (6) below and cash distributions upon a consolidation or merger to which the next to the last paragraph of the section “—Conversion” applies. In such cases, the conversion rate will be increased by multiplying: |
| • | the conversion rate by |
| • | a fraction, the numerator of which is the current market price per share of our Class A common stock and the denominator of which is the current market price per share of our Class A common stock minus the fair market value, as determined by our board of directors, of the indebtedness, securities, cash or other assets so distributed that is applicable to one share of Class A common stock; and |
| (6) | the distribution by us of cash to all holders of Class A common stock, excluding any cash portion of distributions referred to in (5) above, or cash distributions upon a merger or consolidation to which the last paragraph of this section “—Conversion Rate Adjustments” applies. In such cases, the conversion rate will be increased by multiplying: |
| • | the conversion rate by |
| • | a fraction, the numerator of which will be the current market price per share of our Class A common stock and the denominator of which will be the current market price per share of our Class A common stock minus the amount per share of such dividend or distribution. |
For the purpose of any computation under (3), (5) or (6) above, the current market price per share of our Class A common stock means the average of the closing sale price per share of our Class A common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days ending the day before the “ex” date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation. For purposes of any computation under (4) above, the current market price per share of our Class A common stock means the average of the closing sale price per share of our Class A common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days commencing the trading day next succeeding the date of such repurchase (or the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer). The “ex” date means the first date on which the Class A common stock trades in the applicable securities exchange without the right to receive such issuance or distribution. The closing sale price of our Class A common stock means the
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closing per share sale price (or if no closing per share sales price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask price) on that date as reported on the NYSE or, if our Class A common stock is not then listed on the NYSE, then on such national or regional exchange or market on which the Class A common stock is then listed or quoted.
If we distribute capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, a subsidiary or other business unit of ours, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the market value of the securities so distributed relative to the market value of shares of our Class A common stock, in each case based on the average closing sales prices of those securities for the 20 trading days commencing on and including the fifth trading day after the date on which “ex-dividend trading” commences for such distribution on the NYSE, the Nasdaq National Market or such other national or regional exchange or market on which the securities are then listed or quoted.
To the extent permitted by law, we may increase the conversion rate by any amount for any period of at least 20 days if our board of directors determines that the increase would be in our best interests. Any such determination by our board will be conclusive. We may also increase the conversion rate as our board of directors deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Class A common stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock, or rights to acquire stock, or from any event so treated for income tax purposes.
If an increase in the conversion rate is made with respect to a distribution of cash or other property (but generally not stock dividends or rights to subscribe for shares of Class A common stock) to our stockholders, such increase will result in a deemed distribution to U.S. holders of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
We will not be required to make an adjustment in the conversion rate unless the adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the conversion rate. However, we will carry forward any adjustments that are less than 1% of the conversion rate.
Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes
General
If and only to the extent you elect to convert your notes in connection with a transaction described in clause (4) of the definition of fundamental change as described below under “—Repurchase at Option of Holder upon a Fundamental Change” pursuant to which 10% or more of the consideration for our Class A common stock (other than cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights) in such fundamental change transaction consists of cash or securities (or other property) that are not traded or scheduled to be traded immediately following such transaction on a U.S. national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, we will increase the conversion rate for the notes surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares (the “additional shares”) as described below. The number of additional shares will be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which such fundamental change transaction becomes effective (the “effective date”) and the price (the “stock price”) paid per share for our Class A common stock in such fundamental change transaction. If holders of our Class A common stock receive only cash in such fundamental change transaction, the stock price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the stock price shall be the average of the last reported sale prices of our Class A common stock on the five trading days prior to but not including the effective date of such fundamental change transaction.
The stock prices set forth in the first row of the table below (i.e., column headers) will be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the notes is adjusted, as described above under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.” The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional shares will be adjusted in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”
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The following table sets forth the hypothetical stock price and number of additional shares issuable per $1,000 principal amount of notes:
| Effective Date of Fundamental Change |
Stock Price | |||||||||||||||||||
| $14.80 |
$16.00 |
$17.00 |
$18.00 |
$20.00 |
$25.00 |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
$100.00 |
$200.00 | |||||||||||
| August 20, 2004 |
18.7855 | 16.4736 | 14.8648 | 13.4052 | 11.1325 | 7.5303 | 5.4317 | 2.2733 | 0.7055 | 0.1365 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2005 |
17.5321 | 15.1498 | 13.5916 | 12.2216 | 9.8909 | 6.4963 | 4.5361 | 1.8116 | 0.5678 | 0.1058 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2006 |
16.5836 | 14.2562 | 12.4451 | 10.9267 | 8.7961 | 5.4279 | 3.6779 | 1.4184 | 0.4607 | 0.0868 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2007 |
15.6273 | 13.0318 | 11.3822 | 9.8116 | 7.6329 | 4.2930 | 2.7188 | 0.9162 | 0.3236 | 0.0621 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2008 |
14.9826 | 11.9418 | 9.9265 | 8.4304 | 5.9760 | 2.6543 | 1.4156 | 0.4537 | 0.1721 | 0.0400 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2009 |
19.5472 | 14.4226 | 10.7048 | 7.4001 | 1.7820 | 0.4500 | 0.3750 | 0.2250 | 0.1125 | 0.0563 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2010 |
19.2938 | 14.1883 | 10.4842 | 7.1917 | 1.5945 | 0.3000 | 0.2500 | 0.1500 | 0.0750 | 0.0375 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2011 |
19.0405 | 13.9539 | 10.2636 | 6.9834 | 1.4070 | 0.1500 | 0.1250 | 0.0750 | 0.0375 | 0.0188 | ||||||||||
| August 15, 2012 |
19.0405 | 13.9539 | 10.2636 | 6.9834 | 1.4070 | 0.1500 | 0.1250 | 0.0750 | 0.0375 | 0.0188 | ||||||||||
The stock prices and additional share amounts set forth above are based upon a Class A common stock price of $14.80 at August 16, 2004 and an initial conversion price of $20.50.
The exact stock price and repurchase dates may not be set forth on the table; in which case, if the stock price is:
| • | between two stock price amounts on the table or the repurchase date is between two dates on the table, the number of additional shares will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the number of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock price amounts and the two dates, as applicable, based on a 365 day year; |
| • | in excess of $200.0 per share (subject to adjustment), no additional shares will be issued upon conversion; |
| • | less than $14.80 per share (subject to adjustment), no additional shares will be issued upon conversion. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the total number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion exceed 67.5676 per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustments in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”
Conversion After a Public Acquirer Change of Control
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a public acquirer change of control (as defined below), we may, in lieu of increasing the conversion rate by additional shares as described in “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General” above, elect to adjust the conversion rate and the related conversion obligation such that from and after the effective date of such public acquirer change of control, holders of the notes will be entitled to convert their notes into a number of shares of public acquirer common stock (as defined below) by adjusting the conversion rate in effect immediately before the public acquirer change of control by a fraction:
| • | the numerator of which will be (i) in the case of a share exchange, consolidation, merger or binding share exchange, pursuant to which our Class A common stock is converted into cash, securities or other property, the average value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by our board of directors) paid or payable per share of Class A common stock or (ii) in the case of any other public acquirer change of control, the average of the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for the five consecutive trading days prior to but excluding the effective date of such public acquirer change of control, and |
| • | the denominator of which will be the average of the last reported sale prices of the public acquirer common stock for the five consecutive trading days commencing on the trading day next succeeding the effective date of such public acquirer change of control. |
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A “public acquirer change of control” means any event constituting a fundamental change that would otherwise obligate us to increase the conversion rate as described above under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General” and the acquirer has a class of common stock traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such fundamental change (the “public acquirer common stock”). If an acquirer does not itself have a class of common stock satisfying the foregoing requirement, it will be deemed to have “public acquirer common stock” if either (1) a direct or indirect majority owned subsidiary of acquirer or (2) a corporation that directly or indirectly owns at least a majority of the acquirer, has a class of common stock satisfying the foregoing requirement; in such case, all references to public acquirer common stock shall refer to such class of common stock. Majority owned for these purposes means having “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of the respective entity’s capital stock that are entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Upon a public acquirer change of control, if we so elect, holders may convert their notes (subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to conversion described under “—Conversion” above) at the adjusted conversion rate described in the second preceding paragraph but will not be entitled to the increased conversion rate described under “—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General.” We are required to notify holders of our election in our notice to holders of such transaction. As described under “—Conversion”, holders may convert their notes upon a public acquirer change of control during the period specified therein. In addition, the holder can also, subject to certain conditions, require us to repurchase all or a portion of its notes as described under “—Repurchase at Option of Holder upon a Fundamental Change.”
Repurchase at Option of the Holder upon a Fundamental Change
Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined below in this section), you will have the right to require us to repurchase in cash all of your notes not previously called for redemption, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The price we are required to pay is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the repurchase date, payable in cash.
Within 15 days after the occurrence of a fundamental change, we are obligated to give you notice of the fundamental change and of the repurchase right arising as a result of the fundamental change. We must also deliver a copy of this notice to the trustee. To exercise the repurchase right, you must deliver before the 45th day after the date of our notice written notice to the trustee of your exercise of your repurchase right, together with the notes with respect to which the right is being exercised. We are required to repurchase the notes on the date that is 45 days after the date of our notice. See “—Procedure for Tendering Notes for Repurchases” for details on how to tender your notes for repurchase.
A “fundamental change” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the notes are originally issued that any of the following occurs:
| (1) | any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than us, our subsidiaries or our or their employee benefit plans, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause such person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our capital stock then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors without regard to the occurrence of any contingency (the “voting stock”). For the purposes of this clause, a person shall be deemed to beneficially own any voting stock of an entity held by any other entity (the “parent entity”), if such person is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of the parent entity; |
| (2) | during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted our board of directors (together with any new directors whose election by our board of directors or whose nomination for election by our stockholders was approved by a vote of a majority of our directors |
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| then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our board of directors then in office; |
| (3) | the termination of trading of our Class A common stock, which shall be deemed to have occurred at any time after the notes are originally issued that shares of our Class A common stock (or other common stock into which the notes are then convertible) is neither listed for trading on the NYSE nor approved for trading or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or any other U.S. securities exchange or another established over-the counter trading market in the United States; or |
| (4) | consummation of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into us or the sale of all or substantially all our assets to another person and, in the case of any such merger, consolidation or sale, our Class A common stock that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction our Class A common stock is changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the surviving person or transferee that represent, immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person or transferee. |
However, notwithstanding the foregoing, noteholders will not have the right to require us to repurchase any notes (and we will not be required to deliver the notice incidental thereto), if either:
| (A) | the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for any five trading days within the 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately before the later of the fundamental change or the public announcement thereof, equals or exceeds 105% of the applicable conversion price of the notes immediately before the fundamental change or the public announcement thereof; |
| (B) | at least 90% of the consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, in the transaction or transactions constituting the fundamental change consists of shares of capital stock traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with a fundamental change (these securities being referred to as “publicly traded securities”) and as a result of this transaction or transactions the notes become convertible into such publicly traded securities; or |
| (C) | in the case of clause (4) above, the transaction is effected solely to change our jurisdiction of incorporation and results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity. |
For purposes of the above paragraph the term “capital stock” of any person means any and all shares (including ordinary shares or American depositary shares), interests, participations or other equivalents however designated of corporate stock or other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible or exchangeable into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such person.
Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act requires the dissemination of prescribed information to security holders in the event of an issuer tender offer and may apply in the event that the repurchase option becomes available to the holders of notes. We will comply with this rule to the extent it applies at that time.
The definition of fundamental change includes a phrase relating to the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets may be uncertain.
The term “fundamental change” is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition or business operations. Our obligation to offer to repurchase the
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notes upon a fundamental change would not necessarily afford you protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us or our business.
We may be unable to repurchase the notes in the event of a fundamental change. If a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay for the repurchase price for all tendered notes. Moreover, a fundamental change would constitute an event of default under the credit facility. The credit facility and the indentures governing the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes and the 7.25% senior subordinated notes contain certain restrictions on our ability to redeem or repurchase any of the notes using cash from our subsidiaries, including, in the case of the credit facility, a prohibition on such redemption or repurchase in the case of a default or event of default thereunder. In addition, any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to our indebtedness may contain provisions prohibiting repurchase of the notes under some circumstances or expressly prohibit our repurchase of the notes upon a fundamental change or may provide that a fundamental change constitutes an event of default under that agreement. If a fundamental change occurs at a time when we are prohibited from repurchasing notes using cash from our subsidiaries and otherwise do not have our own available cash, we could seek the consent of our relevant lenders to repurchase the notes or attempt to refinance this debt. If we do not obtain consent, we may not be able to repurchase the notes. Our failure to repurchase tendered notes would constitute an event of default under the indenture, which in turn would constitute an event of default under the credit facility and the senior indentures, which might also constitute a default under the terms of our other indebtedness.
Procedure for Tendering Notes for Repurchase
Our notice of an upcoming repurchase date described in “—Repurchase at Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental Change” will be given to all noteholders at their addresses shown in the register of the registrar. We will also give notice to beneficial owners to the extent required by applicable law. Our notice of an upcoming repurchase date will state, among other things, the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes.
Your notice that you have elected to tender your notes for repurchase must include:
| (1) | if certificated notes have been issued, the note certificate numbers (or, if the notes are not certificated, the repurchase notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures); |
| (2) | the portion of the original principal amount of notes to be repurchased, which must be in $1,000 multiples; and |
| (3) | that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture. |
You may withdraw any written repurchase notice by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the day prior to the repurchase date. The withdrawal notice must state:
| (1) | the original principal amount of the withdrawn notes; |
| (2) | if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn notes (or, if the notes are not certificated, the withdrawal notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures); and |
| (3) | the original principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase notice. |
If a repurchase notice is given and withdrawn during that period, we will not be obligated to repurchase the notes listed in the notice.
Payment of the repurchase price for a note for which a repurchase notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned upon book-entry transfer or delivery of the note, together with necessary endorsements, to the paying agent at its office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or any other office of the
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paying agent. Payment of the repurchase price for the note will be made promptly following the later of the repurchase date and the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the note. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the repurchase price, then, on and after the repurchase date:
| • | the note will cease to be outstanding; |
| • | interest will cease to accrue; and |
| • | all other rights of the holder will terminate, other than the right to receive the repurchase price upon delivery of the note; |
whether or not book-entry transfer of the note has been made or the note has been delivered to the paying agent.
We will promptly pay the repurchase price for notes surrendered for repurchase following the repurchase date. We will comply with any applicable provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act in the event of an offer by us to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change. We will file a Schedule TO or any other schedule required in connection with any offer by us to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change.
Optional Redemption by American Tower Corporation
Prior to August 20, 2009, we cannot redeem the notes at our option. Beginning on August 20, 2009, we may redeem the notes, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, for cash at the following redemption prices, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount. We are required to pay accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the date of redemption. We will give not less than 20 days’ nor more than 60 days’ notice of redemption by mail to holders of the notes. If we opt to redeem less than all of the notes at any time, the trustee will select or cause to be selected the notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The trustee may select the notes by lot, pro rata or by any other method the trustee considers fair and appropriate.
| Twelve Months (or shorter period) commencing |
Redemption Price |
||
| August 20, 2009 |
101.125 | % | |
| August 15, 2010 |
100.750 | % | |
| August 15, 2011 |
100.375 | % | |
| August 15, 2012 |
100.000 | % |
Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets
We may not (1) consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, convey, lease or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other person in any one transaction or series of related transactions, or (2) permit any person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:
| • | if we are not the surviving person, the surviving person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the person to which our properties and assets are so transferred shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture expressly assuming the payment when due of the principal of and interest on the notes and the performance of each of our other covenants under the indenture, and |
| • | in either case, the surviving person shall take any steps necessary to ensure that the securities issuable upon conversion of the notes to non-affiliate holders shall not be restricted under the Securities Act and, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing. |
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Events of Default and Remedies
An event of default is defined in the indenture as being any of the following:
| • | our default in payment of the principal amount at maturity, optional redemption price or any fundamental change repurchase price when due, upon maturity, acceleration, redemption or otherwise, on any of the notes; |
| • | our default for 30 days in payment of any installment of interest, including liquidated damages, if any, on the notes; |
| • | our default for 60 days after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the indenture; |
| • | certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries; |
| • | our failure to give notice of the right to require us to purchase notes following the occurrence of a fundamental change within the time required to give such notice; |
| • | the default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our significant subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our significant subsidiaries) whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the indenture, if that default: |
| • | is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such indebtedness on the date of such default, which we refer to as a “payment default”; or |
| • | results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its express maturity; |
and, in each case, if the principal amount of any such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; and
| • | our failure or the failure of any of our significant subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days. |
The indenture provides that if any event of default exists, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest, including liquidated damages, if any, on all notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an event of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency involving us or any of our significant subsidiaries, all outstanding notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. However, if we cure all defaults, except the nonpayment of principal and interest with respect to any notes that become due by acceleration, and certain other conditions are met, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding may rescind that acceleration. Holders may similarly waive past defaults.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.
The indenture provides that while the trustee shall give notice to the holders of notes of any default, the trustee may withhold notice of any default or event of default (except in payment on the notes) if the trustee in good faith considers it in the interest of the note holders to refrain from giving notice.
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Modification of the Indenture
The indenture contains provisions permitting us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the notes at the time outstanding, to modify the indenture and the rights of the note holders. However, without the consent of each note holder so affected, we cannot make any modification that will:
| • | change the final maturity of any notes; |
| • | reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest; |
| • | reduce the principal amount or any premium; |
| • | change the provisions for liquidated damages, for redemption or for repurchase upon a fundamental change, in each case in a manner adverse to the holders; |
| • | impair or affect the right of a holder to institute suit for the payment of principal, interest or any premium; |
| • | change the currency in which the notes are payable; |
| • | impair the right to convert the notes into shares of Class A common stock; or |
| • | reduce the percentage of notes, the consent of the holders of which is required for any modification. |
We may, without the consent of any holder of notes, amend or supplement the indenture or the notes to:
| • | cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or make any other changes in the provisions of the indenture which we and the trustee may deem necessary or desirable, provided such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the notes; |
| • | provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes; |
| • | provide for the assumption of our obligations to holders of notes in the circumstances required under the indenture as described under “Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets”; |
| • | provide for conversion rights of holders of notes in certain events such as our consolidation or merger or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets; |
| • | increase the conversion rate; |
| • | evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment under the indenture of a successor trustee; |
| • | make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such holder; or |
| • | comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
Registration Rights
On August 20, 2004, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchaser pursuant to which we, at our expense, agreed, for the benefit of the holders, to file with the SEC a registration statement covering resale of the notes and of the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 90 days after the first date of original issuance of the notes. We agreed to use reasonable best efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable, but in any event within 210 days of such first date of original issuance, and to keep a shelf registration statement effective until the earlier of (1) the sale pursuant to a shelf registration statement of all the securities registered thereunder and (2) the expiration of the holding period applicable to such securities held by persons that are not affiliates of us under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision, subject to certain permitted exceptions. We are permitted to suspend the use of a prospectus that is part of a shelf registration statement under certain circumstances relating to pending corporate developments, public filings with the SEC and similar events for a period not to exceed 45 days in any three-month period and not to exceed an aggregate of 120 days in any 12-month period.
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We agreed to pay predetermined liquidated damages as described herein (“Liquidated Damages”) to holders of the notes and holders of our Class A common stock issued upon conversion of the notes if a shelf registration statement is not timely filed or made effective or if the prospectus is unavailable for the periods in excess of those permitted above. Such Liquidated Damages shall accrue until such failure to file or become effective or unavailability is cured, (1) in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes, at a rate per year equal to 0.25% for the first 90 day period after the occurrence of such event and 0.5% thereafter of such principal amount, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of determination, and (2) in respect of any Class A common stock issued upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of notes, at a rate per year equal to 0.25% for the first 90 day period and 0.5% thereafter of such principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of determination divided by the then applicable conversion rate. So long as the failure to file or become effective or such unavailability continues, we will pay Liquidated Damages in cash on February 15 and August 15 of each year to the holder of record of the notes or Class A common stock issuable in respect of the notes on the immediately preceding February 1 or August 1. When such registration default is cured, accrued and unpaid Liquidated Damages will be paid in cash to the record holder as of the date of such cure. In no event will we be required to pay Liquidated Damages for more than one registration default at any given time.
We are obligated to:
| • | make available to holders of registrable securities copies of the prospectus related to the shelf registration statement, |
| • | notify each electing holder when the shelf registration statement has become effective, and |
| • | take certain other actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales of the registrable securities. |
If you sell registrable securities pursuant to the registration statement, you:
| • | will usually be required to be named as a selling security holder in the prospectus and to deliver the prospectus to purchasers, |
| • | will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with your sales, and |
| • | will be bound by the applicable provisions of the registration rights agreement, including certain indemnification rights and obligations. |
Each registrable security contains a legend to the effect that the holder is deemed to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement.
We will mail a notice and questionnaire to the holders of registrable securities not less than 30 calendar days prior to the time we intend in good faith to have the shelf registration statement declared effective. Holders are required to complete and deliver the signed notice and questionnaire at least five business days prior to the effective date of the shelf registration statement to be named as selling security holders in the prospectus at the time of effectiveness. Holders of registrable securities will, however, have at least 20 calendar days from the date on which the notice and questionnaire is first mailed to them to return a completed and signed notice and questionnaire.
No holder of registrable securities will be entitled to be named as a selling security holder in the shelf registration statement at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement, and no holder of registrable securities will be entitled to use the prospectus forming a part of the shelf registration statement for offers and resales of registrable securities at any time, until such holder has returned a completed and signed notice and questionnaire to us.
Beneficial owners of registrable securities who have not returned a notice and questionnaire by the deadline described above may receive another notice and questionnaire from us upon request. Upon our receipt of a completed and signed notice and questionnaire, together with such other information as we may reasonably request from a holder following the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement, we will, within ten business
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days of such receipt, file such supplements to the related prospectus as are necessary to permit such holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of the registrable securities, subject to our right to suspend the use of the prospectus as described above. However, to the extent that we are required to file an amendment to the shelf registration statement in order to permit any such holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of registrable securities, we will file such amendment no later than the first business day of the next calendar quarter that begins on or after the 10 business days following the date that we receive the completed questionnaire.
The summary of certain provisions of the registration rights agreement does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the registration rights agreement. A copy of the registration rights agreement is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and is available as set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Concerning the Trustee
The Bank of New York is the trustee, registrar conversion agent and paying agent and is a lender under the credit facility and may provide other commercial banking services to us in the future.
Governing Law
The indenture and the notes are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer
We issued the notes in registered form, without interest coupons. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the notes. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that registration.
Notes are exchangeable for other notes, for the same principal amount and for the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the indenture. You may present notes for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent we designate. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.
We have appointed the trustee as security registrar for the notes. We may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location through which any registrar acts. We are required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate additional registrars for the notes.
In the case of any redemption, the security registrar will not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any notes either:
| • | during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and ending on the close of business on the day of mailing of the notice, or |
| • | if the notes have been called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any notes being redeemed in part. |
Payment and Paying Agents
Payments on the notes will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee. At our option, however, we may make payments by check mailed to the holder’s registered address or, with respect to global notes, by wire transfer. We will make any required interest payments to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.
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We have designated the trustee as our paying agent for payments on the notes. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent shall pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the notes that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.
Notices
Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered holders of the notes will be given by mail to the addresses as they appear in the security register. Notices will be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing.
Replacement of Notes
We will replace any note that become mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the trustee of the mutilated notes or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction satisfactory to us and the trustee. In the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed notes, indemnity satisfactory to the trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of the notes before a replacement note will be issued.
Book-Entry System
The notes are evidenced by one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully-registered form without interest coupons. The global notes have been deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC in New York, New York for the accounts of participants in DTC.
Investors may hold their interests in the global notes directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants.
Except in the limited circumstances described below, holders of notes represented by interests in the global notes will not be entitled to receive notes in definitive form.
DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC (which we refer to as “participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may include the initial purchaser), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.
DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global notes to the accounts of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the purchasers of such beneficial interests. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global notes other than participants).
Except as set forth below and in the indenture, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to receive notes in definitive form and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any notes
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under the global notes. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global notes desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global notes, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. No beneficial owner of an interest in the global notes will be able to transfer the interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture.
Payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and liquidated damages, if any, on the notes represented by the global notes registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global notes.
We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of the global notes, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global notes as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global notes held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices as is now the case with securities held for accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such payments, however, will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants, and neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global notes.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for notes in definitive form, the global notes may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.
DTC may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including agent members and persons that may hold interests through agent members, to take any action that a holder is entitled to take. We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in the global notes is credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the notes, the global notes may be exchanged for notes in definitive form. These notes in definitive form will be subject to certain restrictions on registration of transfers described under “Notice to Investors”, and will bear the legend set forth thereunder.
Although we expect that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or their participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
If DTC is at any time unwilling to continue as a depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, or under other circumstances described in the indenture, we will issue notes in fully registered, definitive form in exchange for the global notes. Such notes in definitive form will be subject to certain restrictions on registration of transfers described under “Notice to Investors,” and will bear the legend set forth thereunder.
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The description below summarizes the more important terms of American Tower Corporation’s capital stock. Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of our capital stock. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our charter.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 20.0 million shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 500.0 million shares of Class A common stock, $.01 par value per share and 10.0 million shares of Class C common stock, $.01 par value per share. In February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and Class C common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Future issuances of Class B common stock are prohibited by our charter. See “—Common Stock.”
We are seeking approval at a special meeting of stockholders to be held on August 3, 2005 to amend and restate our charter in order to:
| • | Increase the authorized number of shares of Class A common stock from 500.0 million shares to 1.0 billion shares; |
| • | Eliminate the authorized shares of Class B common stock and Class C common stock, of which none are currently outstanding; |
| • | Lower the threshold to amend certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation from 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of common stock to a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock; |
| • | Eliminate voting power limitations that were applicable to certain holders of Class B common stock, including our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Steven B. Dodge; and |
| • | Make other conforming changes in connection with the foregoing. |
The following description does not reflect the foregoing proposed amendments.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors will determine the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the 20,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. These include:
| • | the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series, |
| • | the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series, |
| • | whether shares of the series will be entitled to receive dividends and, if so, the dividend rate on the shares of the series, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of the dividends, whether dividends will be cumulative, and the dates on which dividends are payable, |
| • | the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed, if the shares are redeemable, |
| • | the purchase or sinking fund provisions, if any, for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series, |
| • | any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series upon our liquidation or the distribution of our assets, |
| • | the price or rates of conversion at which, and the terms and conditions on which the shares of the series may be converted into other securities, if the shares are convertible, and |
| • | whether the series can be exchanged, at our option, into debt securities, and the terms and conditions of any permitted exchange. |
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The issuance of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase preferred stock, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, the rights of holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that we may issue in the future.
Common Stock
Conversion of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. In February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis pursuant to the occurrence of the “Dodge Conversion Event” as defined in our charter. Our charter prohibits the future issuance of Class B common stock. Also in February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Our charter permits future issuances of shares of Class C common stock.
Dividends. Holders of record of shares of common stock on the record date fixed by our board of directors are entitled to receive dividends as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the purpose. No dividends may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of any class of common stock, however, unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other classes of common stock. Dividends in the form of shares of stock of any company, including our company or any of our subsidiaries, are excepted from that requirement. Therefore, in the case of stock dividends, the shares paid as the dividend may differ as to voting rights to the extent that voting rights now differ among the different classes of common stock. In the case of any dividend payable in shares of common stock, holders of each class of common stock are entitled to receive the same percentage dividend, payable in shares of that class, as the holders of each other class. Dividends and other distributions on common stock are also subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock or debt that may be outstanding from time to time.
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Class A common stock have the exclusive voting rights and will vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The foregoing is subject to the requirements of Delaware corporate law, special provisions in our charter governing election of directors, certain Class A common stock class voting rights and the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock that may be outstanding from time to time. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. The holders of Class A common stock have the right to elect all of our directors. The Class C common stock is nonvoting except as otherwise required by Delaware corporate law.
Delaware corporate law requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any class or series of common stock to approve, among other things, an adverse change in the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of that class or series. Our charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the Class A common stock to amend provisions relating to: (1) authorized capital stock and the rights of capital stock (Article Fourth), (2) the board of directors (Article Fifth), (3) limitation of director liability (Article Sixth), (4) indemnification of directors (Article Seventh), (5) the ability of our board of directors or stockholders representing 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares to amend our by-laws (Article Eighth) and (6) amendments to our certificate of incorporation (Article Tenth).
The provisions of our charter:
| • | prohibit the acquisition by Steven B. Dodge, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and his controlled entities of more than 49.99% of the aggregate voting power of all shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally for the election of directors, less the voting power represented at the date of determination by the shares of common stock acquired by Thomas H. Stoner, a former director, and purchasers affiliated with him in the January 1998 private offering and owned by them or certain affiliates, and |
| • | require the holders of a majority of Class A common stock to approve adverse amendments to the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class A common stock. |
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As of June 14, 2005, Mr. Dodge, together with his affiliates, owned less than 5.0% of the total stockholder voting power of American Tower.
Conversion Provisions. Shares of Class C common stock are convertible, at any time at the option of the holder, on a one-for-one basis into shares of Class A common stock.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up the holders of each class of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors and payment in full to holders of preferred stock then outstanding of any amount required to be paid to them. However, if shares of stock or securities of any company, including any of our subsidiaries, are distributed in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the shares or securities that we distribute to holders of the various classes of our common stock may differ as to voting rights to the extent that voting rights now differ among the different classes of common stock.
Other Provisions. The holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription or redemption rights and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. The shares of common stock presently outstanding are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
In any merger, consolidation or business combination, the holders of each class of common stock must receive the identical consideration to that received by holders of each other class of common stock, except if shares of common stock or common stock of any other company are distributed, in which case the shares may differ as to voting rights to the same extent that voting rights then differ among the different classes of common stock.
No class of common stock may be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless, concurrently, the other classes of common stock are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion and in the same manner.
Our charter restricts transfers of shares of our capital stock to the extent necessary to comply with the FCC’s foreign ownership limitations.
Dividend Restrictions
Our borrower subsidiaries are generally prohibited under the terms of the credit facility (subject to certain exceptions) from making to us any direct or indirect distribution, dividend or other payment on account of their limited liability company interests, partnership interests, capital stock or other equity interests, except that, if no default exists or would be created thereby under the credit facility, our borrower subsidiaries may pay cash dividends or make other distributions to us within certain specified amounts and, in addition, may pay cash dividends or make other distributions to us in accordance with the credit facility in respect of our outstanding indebtedness and permitted future indebtedness. The indentures governing the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes and the ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes also impose limitations on the ability of ATI and certain of our other subsidiaries that have guaranteed those notes to pay dividends and make other payments or distributions to us, except that our borrower subsidiaries may pay dividends or make other payments or distributions to us up to certain specified amounts in respect of certain of our outstanding indebtedness and permitted future indebtedness and, if no default exists or would be created thereby under the indentures governing such indebtedness and certain additional tests are met that could not currently be met, up to certain specified amounts. The indentures governing our 9 3/8% senior notes due 2009, our 7.50% senior notes due 2012 and our 7.125% senior notes due 2012 also prohibit us from paying dividends to our stockholders unless we satisfy certain financial covenants.
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Delaware Business Combination Provisions
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the prior three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.
Listing of Class A Common Stock
Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A common stock is The Bank of New York, P.O. Box 11258, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10286, telephone number (800) 524-4458.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and the shares of Class A common stock into which the notes may be converted. This summary deals only with U.S. holders that hold the notes and the shares of Class A common stock into which the notes may be converted as capital assets.
A “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is any of the following for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| • | a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
| • | a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for these purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
| • | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust if (1) its administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including if you are a financial institution, a tax-exempt entity, if your “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, if you are an insurance company, a dealer in securities or foreign currencies, if you hold the notes as part of a hedge, straddle, “constructive sale,” “conversion” or other integrated transactions, or if you are a U.S. expatriate, “controlled foreign corporation,” “passive foreign investment company” or “foreign personal holding company”), and it generally does not address any U.S. federal taxes other than the U.S. federal income taxes. We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.
If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our notes, you should consult your tax advisors.
If you are considering the purchase of notes, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of the ownership of the notes, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any state, local or non-U.S. income tax consequences.
Payments of Interest
In general, you must report stated interest on the notes as ordinary income in accordance with your regular accounting method.
In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each note has original issue discount (OID) in an amount equal to $22.50. In general, and regardless of whether you use the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, you will be required to include such OID in your gross income on a constant yield-to-maturity basis over the term of the notes. Accordingly, you will be required to include amounts in gross income in advance of cash payments attributable to such income. The daily portion of OID with respect to a note is determined by allocating
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to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. An accrual period may be of any length and the accrual periods may vary in length over the term of the note, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs either on the final day of an accrual period or on the first day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to an accrual period is generally equal to the difference between (x) the product of the note’s adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and the yield to maturity of the note, compounded at the end of each accrual period, taking into account the length of the particular accrual period and (y) the amount of any stated interest payments allocable to such accrual period. The adjusted issue price of a note at the beginning of any accrual period is the sum of the issue price of the note plus the amount of OID allocable to all prior accrual periods minus the amount of any prior payments on the note that were not stated interest payments. You may contact Michael McDermott, our tax director, at American Tower Corporation, 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116 and telephone number (617) 375-7500, to obtain the annual yield to maturity of the notes and other information relevant to the calculation of the amount of OID that must be accrued in respect of each accrual period.
If you acquire a note for an amount that is less than or equal to the note’s principal amount but greater than its adjusted issue price, you will be considered to have acquired the note at an “acquisition premium” equal in amount to the excess of the note’s cost over its adjusted issue price. Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of original issue discount which you must include in income in each period with respect to the note will be reduced, but not below zero, by the portion of the acquisition premium allocated to the period.
Under the term of the notes, we may be obligated in certain circumstances to pay you amounts in excess of stated interest or principal in the event of a registration default (see “Description of Notes—Registration Rights”). Under Treasury regulations, the possibility of such excess amounts being paid will not affect the amount of income you recognize, in advance of the payment of such excess amounts, if there is only a remote chance as of the date the notes were issued that you will receive such amounts. We intend to take the position that the likelihood that we will be obligated to pay such excess amounts is remote. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on you unless you disclose a contrary position in the manner required by applicable Treasury regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In the event a contingency occurs, it could affect the amount and timing of the income that you must recognize.
Under the terms of the notes, we may be obligated to make an adjustment to the conversion rate of your notes upon certain events (see “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General”). The tax characterization of this obligation is unclear. We intend to take the position that the existence of this contingent obligation does not subject the notes to the application of the Treasury regulations applicable to contingent payment debt instruments.
Market Discount
If you purchase a note for an amount less than its then adjusted issue price, then you will be treated as having purchased the note at a “market discount” equal to the difference, unless the amount of the market discount is less than a statutorily defined de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any full or partial principal payment or any gain recognized on the maturity, sale or other disposition of the note as ordinary income, to the extent that the gain does not exceed the accrued market discount on the note. Market discount will accrue evenly on a straight-line basis during the period from the date of your acquisition to the maturity date of the note, unless you elect to accrue the market discount on a constant yield basis. You may elect to include market discount in income currently, either on the straight-line or the elective constant yield basis in lieu of recharacterizing gain upon disposition as ordinary income to the extent of accrued market discount at the time of disposition. Once made, this election will apply to all debt instruments with market discount that you acquire on or after the first day of the the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If you make the election to include market
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discount on a note in income currently, your basis in the note will increase by the market discount on the note as it is included in income. If you do not elect to include the market discount on a note in income currently, you may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the note until the maturity of the note, its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction or, if you so elect, a subsequent taxable year in which sufficient income exists with respect to the note.
Any accrued market discount not previously included in income as of the date of the conversion of your notes into shares of Class A common stock will carry over to the stock you receive on conversion and will give rise to ordinary income upon the subsequent disposition of that stock.
Amortizable Bond Premium
If you purchase a note for an amount in excess of all amounts payable on the note after the purchase date, other than payments of stated interest, the excess will constitute bond premium. Bond premium will not include any amount attributable to the note’s conversion feature, however. The amount attributable to the conversion feature may be determined under any reasonable method, including by comparing the note’s purchase price to the market price of a similar debt instrument that does not have a conversion feature. You generally may elect to amortize bond premium on a constant yield basis over the remaining term of the note by offsetting your interest income from the note allocable to a period with the bond premium allocable to that period when you take the interest into income under your regular method of accounting. Because the notes are redeemable at our option on or after August 20, 2009 (see “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption by American Tower Corporation”), you must determine the yield and maturity of a note for purposes of calculating and amortizing bond premium by assuming that we will exercise our option to redeem your note in a manner that maximizes your yield. If we do not exercise our option to redeem the note in the manner assumed, then solely for purposes of calculating and amortizing any remaining bond premium, you must treat the note as retired and reissued on the deemed redemption date for its adjusted acquisition price as of that date. The adjusted acquisition price of a note is your initial investment in the note, decreased by the amount of any payments, other than stated interest payments, received with respect to the note and any bond premium previously amortized by you. Once made, the election to amortize bond premium on a constant yield method applies to all debt instruments (other than debt instruments the interest on which is excludabale from gross income) held or subsequently acquired by the holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
Sale, Exchange and Retirement of the Notes
On the sale, exchange or retirement of a note (including in the case of an Optional Redemption):
| • | You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received by you (other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest) and your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis will generally equal the cost of the notes to you, increased by any OID or market discount that you are required to include in your gross income and reduced by any bond premium you amortized. |
| • | Subject to the market discount rules described above, your gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if you held the note for more than one year at the time of disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation. |
| • | If you sell a note between interest payment dates, a portion of the amount you receive will reflect interest that has accrued on the note but has not yet been paid by the sale date. That amount is treated as ordinary interest income and not as sales proceeds. |
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Constructive Dividends in Respect of the Notes
If at any time we make a distribution of cash or property to our stockholders or purchase shares of Class A common stock and such distribution or purchase would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of our indebtedness or assets, but generally not stock dividends or rights to subscribe for shares of Class A common stock) and (1) pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the indenture, the conversion rate of the notes is increased, or (2) the conversion rate of the notes is increased at our discretion, such increase in conversion rate generally would be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to you (pursuant to Section 305 of the Code) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. In particular, any adjustment in the conversion rate to compensate U.S. holders of notes for taxable distributions of cash to holders of shares of Class A common stock would be treated as a deemed distribution of stock to the holders, which will be taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings profits. Similarly, an adjustment to the conversion rate of your notes upon certain fundamental changes (as described under “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General”) may be treated as a deemed distribution of stock to holders of the notes. You could therefore have taxable income as a result of an event pursuant to which you received no cash or property. Any such taxable dividend would not be eligible for the preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax applicable in respect of certain dividends under recently enacted legislation.
Conversion of the Notes
You generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss upon conversion of a note into shares of Class A common stock, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Class A common stock or attributable to accrued interest on the converted note. Your tax basis in the shares of Class A common stock received on conversion of a note will be the same as your adjusted tax basis in the note at the time of conversion (reduced by any basis allocable to a fractional share interest), and the holding period for the shares of Class A common stock received on conversion will generally include the holding period of the note converted.
Cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Class A common stock upon conversion generally will be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share of Class A common stock. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Class A common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss (measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and your adjusted tax basis in the fractional share). If you convert a note in connection with certain fundamental changes, the tax consequences of the adjustment to the conversion rate of your notes into our Class A common stock (as described under “Description of the Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—General”) are unclear. In such an instance, you could be required to recognize income or gain upon the adjustment, regardless of whether you receive cash or additional Class A common stock. In addition, in certain circumstances, it is possible that the amendment to the notes to entitle holders to convert their notes into a public acquirer’s common stock (as described under “Description of Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon Certain Fundamental Changes—Conversion after a Public Acquirer Fundamental Change”) may give rise to a taxable event. You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to you of such adjustment of the conversion rate of your notes.
Dividends on the Class A Common Stock
The amount of any distribution by us in respect of the Class A common stock will be equal to the amount of cash and the fair market value, on the date of distribution, of any property distributed. Generally, distributions made to you will be treated as a dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in the shares of Class A common stock (reducing your basis in the shares of Class A common stock) and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such stock.
In general, dividends are subject to tax as ordinary income. For tax years beginning in 2003 through 2008, however, a dividend distribution to an individual U.S. holder is generally taxed as long term capital gain at a
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maximum rate of 15%. The lower capital gain rates will not apply to a dividend on the shares of Class A common stock, however, if the individual U.S. holder fails to satisfy certain holding period requirements with respect to the shares or is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. In addition, the lower capital gain rates will not apply to dividends that the holder elects to treat as investment income for purposes of an investment interest deduction.
In general, a dividend distribution to a corporate U.S. holder will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction if the holder owns less than 20% of the voting power or value of our stock (other than any non-voting, non-convertible, non-participating preferred stock). A corporate U.S. holder that owns 20% or more of the voting power and value of our stock (other than any non-voting, non-convertible, nonparticipating preferred stock) generally will qualify for an 80% dividends received deduction. The dividends received deduction is subject, however, to certain holding period, debt financed portfolio stock and taxable income limitations. In addition, corporate holders should consider the rules under Section 1059 of the Code that may reduce their basis in the shares of Class A common stock.
Sale of Class A Common Stock
Subject to the market discount rules described above, upon the sale or exchange of shares of Class A common stock, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale or exchange and your adjusted tax basis in the shares of Class A common stock. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term if your holding period in the shares of Class A common stock is more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange. Long-term capital gain of an individual U.S. holder prior to 2009 is generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, certain information is required to be reported by the payor to the Internal Revenue Service with respect to payments made to certain non-corporate U.S. holders of principal and interest (including OID) on a note, dividends on shares of Class A common stock, the proceeds of the sale of a note and the proceeds of the sale of shares of Class A common stock. A U.S. holder of a note may be subject to “back-up withholding” with respect to certain of such “reportable payments.” In general, these back-up withholding rules apply if such holder, among other things, (1) fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number (or TIN) to the payor or establish an exemption from backup withholding, (2) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (3) fails to report properly certain interest or dividend income or (4) under certain circumstances, fails to certify under the penalty of perjury that the TIN furnished is the correct number and that such holder is not subject to backup withholding under the Code. Any amounts withheld under the back-up withholding rules from payments to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s United States federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service. Back-up withholding will not apply, however, with respect to payments made to certain holders of the notes, generally including corporations, provided that their exemption from back-up withholding is properly established. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from back-up withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present the pro forma combined financial position and results of operations of the combined company based upon the historical financial statements of American Tower and SpectraSite, after giving effect to the merger and adjustments described in the accompanying footnotes, and are intended to reflect the impact of the pending SpectraSite merger on American Tower. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based upon the historical financial statements and have been developed from the (1) audited consolidated financial statements of American Tower contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus; (2) unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of American Tower contained its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus; (3) the audited consolidated financial statements of SpectraSite contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and (4) unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SpectraSite contained its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are prepared using the purchase method of accounting, with American Tower treated as the acquirer and as if the merger with SpectraSite had been consummated on March 31, 2005 for purposes of preparing the unaudited condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2005 and January 1, 2004 for purposes of preparing the unaudited condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the three months ended March 31, 2005.
As of the date of this prospectus, American Tower has not performed the detailed valuation studies necessary to arrive at the required estimates of the fair market value of the SpectraSite assets to be acquired and the SpectraSite liabilities to be assumed and the related allocations of purchase price, nor has it identified the adjustments necessary, if any, to conform SpectraSite’s accounting policies to American Tower’s accounting policies. However, as indicated in note (a) to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, American Tower has made certain adjustments to the March 31, 2005 historical book values of the assets and liabilities of SpectraSite to reflect certain preliminary estimates of the fair values necessary to prepare the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. Any excess purchase price over the historical net assets of SpectraSite, as adjusted to reflect estimated fair values, has been recorded as goodwill. Actual results may differ from these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements once American Tower has determined the final purchase price for SpectraSite and has completed the valuation studies necessary to finalize the required purchase price allocations and identified any necessary conforming accounting changes for SpectraSite. There can be no assurance that such finalization will not result in material changes.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to represent what the actual consolidated results of operations or the consolidated financial position of American Tower would have been had the SpectraSite merger occurred on the dates assumed, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not include the realization of cost savings from operating efficiencies or restructuring costs anticipated to result from the SpectraSite merger. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the separate historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of American Tower and SpectraSite that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2005
(In thousands)
| American Tower |
SpectraSite |
Pro Forma Adjustments (a) |
Pro Forma Combined |
|||||||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 122,797 | $ | 69,709 | $ | 192,506 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net |
30,424 | 10,300 | 40,724 | |||||||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets |
45,299 | 14,198 | 59,497 | |||||||||||||||
| Total current assets |
198,520 | 94,207 | 292,727 | |||||||||||||||
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net |
2,231,278 | 1,149,068 | $ | 550,000 | (a2) | 3,930,346 | ||||||||||||
| OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net |
967,229 | 149,776 | 1,350,224 | (a3) | 2,467,229 | |||||||||||||
| GOODWILL |
592,683 | 2,827 | 1,475,285 | (a4) | 2,070,795 | |||||||||||||
| DEFERRED INCOME TAXES |
642,145 | (642,145 | ) | (a5) | ||||||||||||||
| NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS |
293,045 | 54,595 | (27,466 | ) | (a6) | 320,174 | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL |
$ | 4,924,900 | $ | 1,450,473 | $ | 2,705,898 | $ | 9,081,271 | ||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
$ | 192,674 | $ | 91,904 | $ | 20,075 | (a7) | $ | 304,653 | |||||||||
| Current portion of long-term obligations |
5,350 | 4,000 | 9,350 | |||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities |
198,024 | 95,904 | 20,075 | 314,003 | ||||||||||||||
| LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS |
3,141,835 | 745,000 | 10,252 | (a8) | 3,897,087 | |||||||||||||
| OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES |
126,740 | 99,542 | (41,466 | ) | (a9) | 184,816 | ||||||||||||
| DEFERRED INCOME TAXES |
71,767 | (a5) | 71,767 | |||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities |
3,466,599 | 940,446 | 60,628 | 4,467,673 | ||||||||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
||||||||||||||||||
| MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES |
5,970 | 5,970 | ||||||||||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock |
2,308 | 505 | 1,173 | (a1) | 3,986 | |||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
4,025,353 | 727,532 | 2,426,087 | (a1) | 7,178,972 | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit |
(2,570,964 | ) | (12,566 | ) | 12,566 | (a1) | (2,570,964 | ) | ||||||||||
| Treasury stock |
(4,366 | ) | (205,444 | ) | 205,444 | (a1) | (4,366 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
1,452,331 | 510,027 | 2,645,270 | 4,607,628 | ||||||||||||||
| TOTAL |
$ | 4,924,900 | $ | 1,450,473 | $ | 2,705,898 | $ | 9,081,271 | ||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)
| American Tower |
SpectraSite |
Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma Combined |
|||||||||||||||
| REVENUES: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Rental and management |
$ | 684,422 | $ | 355,148 | $ | 1,039,570 | ||||||||||||
| Network development services |
22,238 | 22,238 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues |
706,660 | 355,148 | 1,061,808 | |||||||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Rental and management |
237,312 | 123,801 | $ | 27,802 | (b1) | 388,915 | ||||||||||||
| Network development services |
18,801 | 18,801 | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
329,449 | 117,503 | (13,087 | ) | (c1) | 524,365 | ||||||||||||
| 30,500 | (c2) | |||||||||||||||||
| 60,000 | (c3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate general, administrative and development expense |
27,468 | 53,199 | (25,402 | ) | (b2) | 55,265 | ||||||||||||
| Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets and restructuring expense |
23,876 | 23,876 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
636,906 | 294,503 | 79,813 | 1,011,222 | ||||||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
69,754 | 60,645 | (79,813 | ) | 50,586 | |||||||||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income, TV Azteca, net |
14,316 | 14,316 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income |
4,844 | 1,380 | 6,224 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(262,237 | ) | (49,510 | ) | 1,577 | (d) | (310,170 | ) | ||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of long-term obligations |
(138,016 | ) | (138,016 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income |
(2,798 | ) | 27,180 | 24,382 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other (expense) income |
(383,891 | ) | (20,950 | ) | 1,577 | (403,264 | ) | |||||||||||
| (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND LOSS ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS |
(314,137 | ) | 39,695 | (78,236 | ) | (352,678 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (provision) |
80,176 | (15,769 | ) | 26,787 | (e) | 91,194 | ||||||||||||
| Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries |
(2,366 | ) | (2,366 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on equity method investments |
(2,915 | ) | (2,915 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
$ | (239,242 | ) | $ | 23,926 | $ | (51,449 | ) | $ | (266,765 | ) | |||||||
| LOSS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
$ | (1.07 | ) | $ | (0.68 | ) | ||||||||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING |
224,336 | 167,782 | (f) | 392,118 | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended March 31, 2005
(In thousands, except per share data)
| American Tower |
SpectraSite |
Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma Combined |
|||||||||||||||
| REVENUES: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Rental and management |
$ | 181,570 | $ | 93,816 | $ | 275,386 | ||||||||||||
| Network development services |
2,785 | 2,785 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating revenues |
184,355 | 93,816 | 278,171 | |||||||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||||||||
| Rental and management |
60,180 | 31,508 | $ | 7,220 | (b1) | 98,908 | ||||||||||||
| Network development services |
2,202 | 2,202 | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
81,971 | 30,587 | (3,055 | ) | (c1) | 132,128 | ||||||||||||
| 7,625 | (c2) | |||||||||||||||||
| 15,000 | (c3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate general, administrative and development expense |
6,973 | 15,170 | (6,620 | ) | (b2) | 15,523 | ||||||||||||
| Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets and restructuring expense |
2,777 | 2,777 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
154,103 | 77,265 | 20,170 | 251,538 | ||||||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
30,252 | 16,551 | (20,170 | ) | 26,633 | |||||||||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income, TV Azteca, net |
3,498 | 3,498 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income |
699 | 266 | 965 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(54,716 | ) | (11,604 | ) | 393 | (d) | (65,927 | ) | ||||||||||
| Loss on retirement of long-term obligations |
(15,042 | ) | (15,042 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Other income |
670 | 14,013 | 14,683 | |||||||||||||||
| Total other (expense) income |
(64,891 | ) | 2,675 | 393 | (61,823 | ) | ||||||||||||
| (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND LOSS ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS |
(34,639 | ) | 19,226 | (19,777 | ) | (35,190 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (provision) |
4,338 | (7,594 | ) | 6,783 | (e) | 3,527 | ||||||||||||
| Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries |
(55 | ) | (55 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on equity method investments |
(1,098 | ) | (1,098 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
$ | (31,454 | ) | $ | 11,632 | $ | (12,994 | ) | $ | (32,816 | ) | |||||||
| LOSS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
$ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING |
230,158 | 167,782 | (f) | 397,940 | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| (a) | The pro forma condensed combined balance sheet has been adjusted to reflect the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to identifiable net assets acquired and the excess purchase price to goodwill. The purchase price allocation included within these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements is based upon a purchase price of approximately $3.2 billion. This amount was derived from the estimated number of shares of American Tower Class A common stock to be issued of approximately 167.8 million, based on the outstanding shares of SpectraSite common stock on May 2, 2005 and the exchange ratio of 3.575 per each SpectraSite share, at a price of $17.21 per share, the average closing price of American Tower Class A common stock for the two days prior to, including and two days subsequent to the signing of the merger agreement and the public announcement of the merger. The actual number of newly issued shares of American Tower Class A common stock to be delivered in connection with the merger will be based upon the actual number of SpectraSite shares issued and outstanding when the merger closes. The purchase price also includes the fair value of warrants and options to be issued as of the closing date of the merger in exchange for similar securities of SpectraSite and the estimated American Tower transaction costs. The preliminary consideration is as follows: |
| Common Shares (stated value $.01 share) |
Capital in Excess of Par Value |
Total | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| (a1) |
Issuance of American Tower Class A common stock to SpectraSite stockholders (167.8 million shares at $17.21) |
$ | 1,678 | $ | 2,886,191 | $ | 2,887,869 | ||||
| (a1) |
Fair value of options to be issued |
162,348 | |||||||||
| (a1) |
Fair value of warrants to be issued |
105,080 | |||||||||
| (a7) |
Estimated American Tower transaction costs |
20,075 | |||||||||
| Total consideration |
$ | 3,175,372 | |||||||||
American Tower has not completed an assessment of the fair value of assets and liabilities of SpectraSite and the related business integration plans. The table below represents a preliminary allocation of the total consideration to American Tower’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on management’s preliminary estimate of their respective fair values as of the date of the merger.
| Total |
||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
| (a1) |
Elimination of SpectraSite’s historical net book value |
$ | 510,027 | |||
| (a2) |
Adjustment to fair value property and equipment |
550,000 | ||||
| (a3) |
Elimination of SpectraSite’s historical intangible asset related to customer contracts |
(149,776 | ) | |||
| (a3) |
Adjustment to fair value of intangible assets related to customer contracts, customer relationships and network/location |
1,500,000 | ||||
| (a4) |
Elimination of SpectraSite’s historical goodwill |
(2,827 | ) | |||
| (a4) |
Residual goodwill created from the merger |
1,478,112 | ||||
| (a5) |
Adjustment to deferred tax asset (liability) for net impact of purchase accounting adjustments |
(713,912 | ) | |||
| (a6) |
Elimination of SpectraSite’s historical deferred rent asset |
(27,466 | ) | |||
| (a8) |
Adjustment to fair value long-term debt |
(10,252 | ) | |||
| (a9) |
Elimination of SpectraSite’s historical deferred rent liability |
41,466 | ||||
| Total consideration allocated |
$ | 3,175,372 | ||||
Upon completion of the fair value assessment after the merger, American Tower anticipates that the ultimate purchase price allocation will differ from the preliminary assessment outlined above. Any changes to the
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
initial estimates of the fair value of the assets and liabilities will be recorded as adjustments to those assets and liabilities and residual amounts will be allocated to goodwill.
For purposes of the preliminary allocation, American Tower has estimated a fair value adjustment for SpectraSite’s property and equipment based on an estimated average fair value for each wireless tower of $0.2 million and the original cost for each broadcast tower. The fair value of the remaining property and equipment is based on historical book values as of March 31, 2005. For purposes of computing pro forma depreciation expense, an average remaining life of twelve years has been estimated for SpectraSite wireless towers.
For purposes of the preliminary allocation, American Tower has estimated a fair value for SpectraSite’s intangible asset related to customer contracts, customer relationships and network/location based on the net present value of the projected income stream of those intangible assets. The fair value adjustment is being amortized over an estimated useful life of twenty-five years. For perspective, a 10% change in the allocation between these intangible assets and goodwill, would result in a change in amortization expense, with a corresponding change in annual net income (loss) of approximately $3.9 million after-tax or $0.01 per share.
Deferred income tax impacts as of a result of purchase accounting adjustments are estimated at the American Tower statutory rate for periods presented, which represents our best estimate of American Tower statutory income tax rates for all tax jurisdictions.
| (b) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been adjusted to reflect: |
| (b1) | the presentation of SpectraSite’s selling, general and administrative expenses to conform to American Tower’s financial statement presentation. |
| (b2) | the effect of amortizing stock compensation for the intrinsic value of SpectraSite’s unvested in-the-money stock options assumed by American Tower upon consummation of the merger of approximately $2.4 million and $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and three months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. |
| (c) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been adjusted to reflect: |
| (c1) | the elimination of SpectraSite’s historical intangible asset amortization due to the elimination of SpectraSite’s historical intangible asset related to customer contracts. See note (a3). |
| (c2) | the increase in depreciation expense resulting from the fair value adjustments to SpectraSite’s property and equipment. See note (a2). |
| (c3) | the increase in amortization expense resulting from the fair value of SpectraSite’s intangible asset related to customer contracts, customer relationships and network/location. See note (a3). |
See note (a) for the estimated impact of changes in estimates related to the allocation of the purchase price.
| (d) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been adjusted to reflect lower interest expense due to the adjustment of SpectraSite’s long-term debt to fair value. See note (a8). The difference between the fair value and the face amount of each borrowing is amortized as a reduction in interest expense over the remaining term of the borrowings. |
| (e) | The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been adjusted to reflect aggregate pro forma income tax effect of notes (b), (c) and (d) above using the combined statutory rates. |
| (f) | Pro forma combined basic net loss per common share is based on the combined weighted average shares outstanding after conversion of shares of SpectraSite common stock into shares of American Tower Class A common stock resulting from the merger and presented and calculated using the combined loss from continuing operations. Net loss per share calculations do not include potential common shares issuable pursuant to options, warrants and convertible notes of approximately 87.4 million and 86.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and three months ended March 31, 2005, respectively, as their effect is anti-dilutive. |
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Selling securityholders may offer and sell, from time to time, the notes and the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes covered by this prospectus. We refer to both the notes and the underlying shares of common stock, individually and together, as the securities. The term selling securityholders includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a selling securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer. The selling securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
We have been advised by the selling securityholders that they may sell all or a portion of the securities beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time:
| • | directly; or |
| • | through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions from the selling securityholders or from the purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. |
The securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at:
| • | fixed prices, which may be changed; |
| • | prevailing market prices at the time of sale; |
| • | varying prices determined at the time of sale; or |
| • | negotiated prices. |
These prices will be determined by the holders of the securities or by agreement between these holders and underwriters or dealers who may receive fees or commissions in connection with the sale. The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from the sale of the securities offered by them hereby will be the purchase price of the securities less discounts and commissions, if any.
The sales described in the preceding paragraph may be effected in transactions:
| • | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including the New York Stock Exchange in the case of the shares of our Class A common stock; |
| • | in the over-the-counter market; |
| • | in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; |
| • | through the writing of options; or |
| • | through the settlement of short sales. |
These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are transactions in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade.
The shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes will be listed, and may be traded, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.”
In addition, the selling securityholders may sell any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
To the extent required, we may amend or supplement this prospectus to describe a specific plan of distribution. In connection with the sale of the securities, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging
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transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with those transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may also sell the securities short and redeliver the securities to close out their short positions. The selling securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions that require the delivery to the broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities the broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect the transaction. The selling securityholders may also pledge securities to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, the broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect the transaction.
In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.
Each of the selling securityholders which is an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer has represented to us that it purchased the notes and/or the Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes in the ordinary course of business and at the time of such purchase, the selling securityholder had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such notes and/or Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes.
In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the selling securityholders and any broker-dealers who execute sales for the selling securityholders may be treated as “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with sales. Any profits realized by the selling securityholders and the compensation of any broker-dealer may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between any selling securityholders and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the securities by the selling securityholders.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, the securities must be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
The selling securityholders and any other person participating in a distribution will be subject to the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules include, without limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities by the selling securityholders and other participating persons. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular security being distributed for a period of up to five business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. This may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.
We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act. The selling securityholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.
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We and the selling securityholders have each agreed to indemnify the other against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or, in the alternative, that each party will be entitled to contribution in connection with those liabilities. We will bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the securities, except that selling securityholders will pay all broker’s commissions and, in connection with any underwritten offering, underwriting discounts and commissions.
The validity of the notes offered by this prospectus and of the shares of our Class A common stock that may be issued upon conversion of the notes and offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Palmer & Dodge LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. In rendering its opinion, Palmer & Dodge LLP has relied on the opinion of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton with respect to matters of New York law. A partner of Palmer & Dodge LLP holds options to purchase 7,200 shares of our Class A common stock at $18.75 per share. Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton provides legal services to American Tower from time to time.
The consolidated financial statements and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this prospectus by reference from American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports dated March 29, 2005 (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, and (2) express an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a material weakness identified), which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of SpectraSite, Inc. appearing in SpectraSite, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004 and SpectraSite, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon (which conclude, among other things, that SpectraSite, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, because of the effects of the material weakness described therein), included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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